Computer Simulation of Single-Well Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SW-SAGD)
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- Steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) is an effective method of producing heavy oil and bitumen. In a typical SAGD approach, steam is injected into a horizontal well located directly above a horizontal producer. A steam chamber grows around the injection well and helps displace heated oil toward the production well. Single-well (SW) SAGD attempts to create a similar process using only one horizontal well. This may include steam injection from the toe of the horizontal well with production at the heel. Obvious advantages of SW-SAGD include cost savings and utility in relatively thin reservoirs. However, the process is technically challenging.To improve early-time response of SW-SAGD, it is necessary to heat the near-wellbore area to reduce oil viscosity and allow gravity drainage to take place. Ideally heating should occur with minimal circulation or bypassing of steam. Since project economics are sensitive to early production response, we are interested in optimizing the start-up procedure.An investigation of early-time processes to improve reservoir heating will be discussed. We performed a numerical simulation study of combinations of cyclic steam injection and steam circulation prior to SAGD in an effort to better understand and improve early-time response. Results from this study, including cumulative recoveries, temperature distributions, and production rates, display variances within the methods. It is found that cyclic steaming of the reservoir prior to SAGD offers the most favorable option for heating the near-wellbore area and creating conditions that will improve initial SAGD response.We will also discuss the influence of certain reservoir parameters on the performance of SW-SAGD. A sensitivity analysis of reservoir height, oil viscosity, horizontal to vertical permeability anisotropy, and dead oil versus live oil was performed. We find that operating performance varies significantly between cases. More favorable reservoir conditions such as low viscosity, thick oil zones, and solution gas, improved reservoir response. Under unfavorable conditions, response was limited and might prove to be uneconomical in actual field cases.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Date created | July 1999 |
Creators/Contributors
| Author | Elliott, Keith T. |
|---|---|
| Primary advisor | Kovscek, Anthony R. |
| Degree granting institution | Stanford University, Department of Petroleum Engineering |
Subjects
| Subject | School of Earth Energy & Environmental Sciences |
|---|---|
| Subject | Stanford University Petroleum Research Institute |
| Genre | Thesis |
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Preferred citation
- Preferred Citation
- Elliott, Keith T. (1999). Computer Simulation of Single-Well Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SW-SAGD). Stanford Digital Repository. Available at: https://purl.stanford.edu/nh896mz0093
Collection
Master's Theses, Doerr School of Sustainability
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