Improvement in sweep efficiencies in thermal oil-recovery projects through the application of in-situ foams

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6077708

Eson, R L

Even though steam drive is the most successful of all EOR processes, accounting for nearly 74% of all of the U.S. EOR production, it is not without its problems. Gravity segregation (steam override) and poor areal and vertical sweep efficiencies have limited recoveries in many heavy oil reservoirs since the first thermal projects were initiated in the 1960s. In many instances, the injected steam prematurely breaks through into producing wells creating steam channels. It has been shown that in situ steam foams are effective at reducing the mobility in these steam channels and diverting the injecting steam into alternate flow paths, thus improving the sweep efficiency of the steam drive process. This study looks at the sweep efficiency improvement in 3 separate injection patterns utilizing in situ steam foams. In each pattern, a slight variation in the application technique and material utilized is experienced. To determine the effectiveness of these 3 different approaches, radioactive injection profiles, production and the cost per incremental barrel of oil produced will be compared. 10 references.

• OSTI ID: 6077708
• Report Number(s): CONF-8306242-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE-11806
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
COLLOIDS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISPERSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOAMS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
PRODUCTION
RECOVERY
STEAM INJECTION
SWEEP EFFICIENCY
WELLS