An application of crosswell tomography using a hydrophone receiver array to monitor steam migration in an unconsolidated, heavy-oil sandstone, West Coalinga field, California

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:403064

Blevens, Jr, D M; Fairborn, J W

Two crosswell tomography surveys were conducted in the vicinity of a new infill steam injector with the primary objective of monitoring steam (heat) migration within a thick, unconsolidated, heavy-oil, sandstone reservoir. The crosswell tomography detected heat-induced velocity decreases between the two surveys, the first conducted just before steam injection and the second conducted approximately three months later. Difference plots from the two surveys clearly define areas with temperature change and contact temperature logs corroborate the zone of peak change. The crosswell tomography data and the inferred steam migration characteristics halted an operational strategy for the steam drive and were later a factor in the abandonment of continuous steam injection. The second objective of the crosswell tomography project was to demonstrate the viability and cost-reduction benefits of a hydrophone receiver array in an unconsolidated reservoir. This project represents one of the first applications of hydrophone receivers in such an environment. Data quality from the hydrophones proved adequate for first-arrival (P-wave) tomography although, it is likely reduced from that obtainable with geophones. As a benefit, acquisition costs for this trial were dramatically less than estimates using geophones.

• OSTI ID: 403064
• Report Number(s): CONF-9603154--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
CALIFORNIA
ENHANCED RECOVERY
IMAGE PROCESSING
MONITORING
OIL WELLS
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
RESERVOIR ROCK
STEAM INJECTION
TOMOGRAPHY
WELL STIMULATION