An oil production model for a well producing by both gravity drainage and viscous flow from a mature steamflood

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

OSTI ID:403068

Owens, B K; Ziegler, V M

This paper presents a simple analytical model that determines the oil production rate for a well producing from a mature steamflood. Fluid flow in steamfloods exhibiting gravity override is frequently assumed to be dominated by gravity drainage, and viscous flow is considered insignificant. However, this paper presents a model that includes the effects of both gravity drainage and viscous flow. The model indicates that viscous flow or steam drag may be a significant force contributing to the oil production rate. Gravity drainage does dominate when thick liquid columns and low horizontal pressure gradients exist, but viscous flow may be dominant when the liquid column is thin. A reservoir may initially be dominated by gravity drainage, but as the reservoir depletes and the steam chest descends, the viscous flow force may become the dominant component. Development of the model involves adapting a previous analytical prediction model that only considered gravity drainage. The new model can be set up to be handled in a spreadsheet. Validity of the model is demonstrated by comparison of forecasts against Kern River field data. The first set of field data involves an entire steamflood project`s performance after complete steam overlay has occurred. The second set of field data examines a situation where reservoir drawdown on several wells was decreased by shutting in a casing vapor recovery system. The final set of data deals with a scenario where reservoir drawdown was increased by installation of a casing vapor recovery system to an injector that was converted to a producer.

• OSTI ID: 403068
• Report Number(s): CONF-9603154--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLOW MODELS
OIL WELLS
PERFORMANCE
STEAM INJECTION
WELL STIMULATION