Seismic data aid steamflood project decisions

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Petroleum Engineer International

OSTI ID:390314

Von Flatern, R

Seismic data, gathered repeatedly over the same area of interest at different calendar times promises to be a powerful reservoir management tool. Although it is too early to make broad conclusions, one heavy-oil steamflood project has incorporated 4-D seismic into the reservoir management decision making process. The project conducted by Imperial Oil Resources Ltd. of Alberta, Canada, to monitor a cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) project at its Cold Lake field in northeastern Alberta, has resulted in tangible contributions to field development. The steamflood cycle consists of a period of high-pressure, high-temperature steam injection into a well, followed by a period of bitumen production from the same well. In the Cold Lake field, 20 wells are directionally drilled from each location, or pad. The company expects to recover 25% of the bitumen in place using a system of 10 cycles during 10 years. In May and July 1995, Imperial acquired two 3-D seismic surveys over four CSS pads in Cold Lake as part of a pilot program to determine the additional reserves that could be produced with new steam injection wells.

• OSTI ID: 390314
• Journal Information: Petroleum Engineer International, Journal Name: Petroleum Engineer International Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 69; ISSN 0164-8322; ISSN PEEID4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
BITUMENS
COLD LAKE DEPOSIT
FLUID INJECTION PROCESSES
MONITORING
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
SEISMIC SURVEYS
STEAM INJECTION
THERMAL RECOVERY
TIME DEPENDENCE