Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology
Volume 49, Number 9, September 2010, pp. 13-21

SPE-140663-PA

A Semi-Unsteady-State Wellbore Steam/Water Flow Model for Prediction of Sandface Conditions in Steam Injection Wells

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DOI  More information 10.2118/140663-PA http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/140663-PA

Citation

  • Bahonar, M., Azaiez, J., and Chen, Z. 2010. A Semi-Unsteady-State Wellbore Steam/Water Flow Model for Prediction of Sandface Conditions in Steam Injection Wells. J Can Pet Technol  49 (9): 13-21. SPE-140663-PA. doi: 10.2118/140663-PA.

Discipline Categories

  • 5.6 Multiphase Flow in Wells
  • 6.2.1 Phase Behavior and PVT Measurements
  • 6.4.5 Thermal Methods (e.g.,Steamflood, Cyclic Steam, THAI, Combustion)

Keywords

  • steam injection, wellbore flow, heat transfer, drift-flux model, two-phase flow

Summary

A numerical nonisothermal two-phase wellbore model is developed to simulate downward flow of a steam and water mixture in the wellbore. This model entails simultaneous solution of coupled mass and momentum conservation equations inside the wellbore with an energy conservation equation for the fluids within the wellbore, surrounding medium and formation. A new drift-flux model that accounts for slip between the phases inside the wellbore is employed. In addition, a 2D implicit scheme that allows for heat transfer in both the axial and radial directions in the formation is developed. Furthermore, a rigorous nonlinear temperature- and depth-dependent overall heat transfer coefficient is implemented. The model predictions are validated against real field data and other available models. The model is useful for designing well completion and accurately computing the wellbore/formation heat transfer, which is important for estimating oil recovery by using steam injection.

© 2010. Society of Petroleum Engineers

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History

  • Original manuscript received: 26 March 2009
  • Meeting paper published: 17 June 2009
  • Revised manuscript received: 28 June 2010
  • Manuscript approved: 8 July 2010
  • Published online: 1 September 2010
  • Version of record: 1 September 2010