Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology
Volume 49, Number 5, May 2010, pp. 19-26

Summary

This paper presents the development of a simulation model describing the bacterial-induced souring of an Alberta heavy-oil producing field and its remediation via injection of nitrate. An area of the field with extensive bacterial activity was selected for the simulation study. The primary production and water-flood injection phases were history matched with basic reservoir maps and injection/production operating conditions adjusted via an automatic history match algorithm. Extensive chemical and microbiological compositional data for injected and produced waters were collected and analyzed at the University of Calgary and a mathematical model of the souring process and its remediation treatment was developed based on the information collected. Simulation indicated the volumetric distribution of the hydrogen sulfide over time and how the injected nitrate was distributed and acted to achieve souring control. Predicted individual production well responses were shown to be consistent with field observations, and issues regarding improved monitoring and design of laboratory experiments for future field operations are highlighted. Hence, simulation can be a useful tool in understanding and designing remedial treatments to bacterial souring in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin.

© 2010. Society of Petroleum Engineers

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History

• Original manuscript received: 21 March 2009
• Meeting paper published: 17 June 2009
• Revised manuscript received: 20 March 2009
• Manuscript approved: 9 March 2010
• Published online: 24 May 2010
• Version of record: 5 May 2010