Steam soak model for depletion-type reservoirs

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1969 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5376378

Closmann, P J; Ratliff, N W; Truit, N E

A model has been developed to describe production performance of steam soak wells in depletion-type reservoirs. This model assumes that injected steam penetrates a portion of the oil-bearing interval as a zone of constant thickness. Oil is displaced from the steam zone to a residual oil saturation. Simultaneously, heat conduction into the adjoining oil-bearing sand raises its temperature and lowers the oil viscosity. When pressure in the injector is lowered below original formation pressure, backflow of oil commences. Expansion of oil in the reservoir and subsequent oil production are accelerated because of the greatly reduced viscous resistance in the vicinity of the well. It has been found for this model that: (1) location of the steam zone near the middle of the formation enhances production of oil; (2) when cross flow is important, thin steam zones are preferable to thick zones, for a given quantity of steam injected; and (3) when cross flow is not important and steam tends to enter the top, thick steam zones are preferable to thin zones. (13 refs.)

• Research Organization: Shell Development Co.
• OSTI ID: 5376378
• Report Number(s): CONF-690997-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE2516
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION PROCESSES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HEAT TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
STEAM SOAK PROCESSES
VISCOSITY
WELLS