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Cyclic steaming of tar sands through hydraulically induced fractures

Journal Article · · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/11684-PA· OSTI ID:5602402
Fracture dimensions and process mechanisms that resulted from cyclic steam stimulation above fracturing pressure in German and Canadian tar sands are analyzed with numerical modeling. Horizontal fracture radii of 100 ft (30.5 m) and vertical fracture half-lengths of 250 ft (76.2 m) with fracture surface areas of 30,000 to 70,000 sq ft (2787 to 6503 m/sup 2/) are sufficient to reproduce steam injectivity into reservoirs containing highly viscous oil and negligible amounts of movable water saturation. Mechanisms that are important during fluid loading and unloading of induced fractures include thermal expansion of tar oil, countercurrent imbibition of water and oil caused by capillary pressure effects, and fracture compressibility.
Research Organization:
Todd, Dietrich and Chase Inc.
OSTI ID:
5602402
Journal Information:
SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 1:3; ISSN SREEE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040300 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Drilling
Fracturing & Mining
040401* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
BITUMENS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CANADA
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COMMINUTION
COMPRESSIBILITY
ENERGY SOURCES
EUROPE
EXPANSION
FAILURES
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
FLUID INJECTION PROCESSES
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURES
FRACTURING
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GROUND WATER
HYDRAULIC FRACTURES
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SAND DEPOSITS
OIL SANDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PRESSURE EFFECTS
SATURATION
STEAM SOAK PROCESSES
SURFACE AREA
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TAR
THERMAL EXPANSION
VISCOSITY
WATER
WATER SATURATION
WESTERN EUROPE