Orinoco oil belt research takes shape

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Carib-Latin Energy Consultants Ltd.; ()

OSTI ID:5250539

Research on production methods for use in the Orinoco heavy oil belt along the southern flank of the E. Venezuela basin is described. The oil contained in the belt ranges between 7 and 18 API, with total oil in place estimated as 2 trillion bbl. Steam soak pilot tests have yielded excellent results in increasing production and recovery. Production rates after steam soak of up to 2000 bpd have been obtained with oil-steam ratios of 4 to 5 bbl/bbl, and cumulative production per cycle exceeding 200,000 bbl/well. Thermal processes such as cyclic and continuous steam injection are considered the most suitable for the reservoir, and good results also are expected with fireflooding at greater depths. Terms of a recent cooperative agreement between the Alberta Oil Sand Technology and Research Authority and the Venezuelan Technological Petroleum Research Institute are outlined to indicate the planned use of technological assistance in development of the Orinoco oil belt.

• OSTI ID: 5250539
• Journal Information: Carib-Latin Energy Consultants Ltd.; (), Journal Name: Carib-Latin Energy Consultants Ltd.; () Vol. 3:11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290500 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Research
Development
Demonstration
& Commercialization
294002 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Petroleum
ALBERTA
CANADA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
COORDINATED RESEARCH PROGRAMS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FIELD TESTS
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
LATIN AMERICA
NORTH AMERICA
OIL WELLS
OXIDATION
PETROLEUM
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
RECOVERY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
SOUTH AMERICA
STEAM INJECTION
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
TESTING
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VENEZUELA
VISCOSITY
WELLS