Heat transfer study for the in-situ combustion process

Conference · Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1968 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5376145

Kuo, C H

The phenomenon of heat transport in underground combustion processes is discussed. It is assumed that heat is generated at a constant rate at a moving vertical combustion surface. This generated heat is transported in the fluid-flow direction by convection and a portion is lost to the cap and base rock by vertical conduction. On the basis of this idealized model, temperature and energy distributions during the combustion process have been investigated. This study indicates that it is advantageous to achieve the condition such that the heat front velocity is larger than the combustion front velocity. For this case, a portion of the generated heat is carried ahead of the combustion front to heat the reservoir oil in the downstream formation. If the heat front moves slower than the combustion front, then the generated heat is distributed mainly in the formation upstream of the combustion front and in the cap and base rock. The results of this study suggest that the combustion front temperature can be controlled in order to avoid damage to wells. This can be accomplished by controlling the rate and composition of the injected fluid. (14 refs.)

• Research Organization: Shell Development Co
• OSTI ID: 5376145
• Report Number(s): CONF-690997-
• Journal Information: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE2651; ISSN SEAPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY TRANSFER
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HEAT TRANSFER
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OIL WELLS
OXIDATION
PETROLEUM
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
THERMAL RECOVERY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VISCOSITY
WELLS