Oil recovery by a water-driven steam slug

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1971 · Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/3153-PA· OSTI ID:6080936

El-Saleh, M M; Farouq Ali, S M

Results of an experimental study of oil recovery by a steam slug driven by a cold waterflood in a linear porous medium are described. The model included simulations of heat losses to the adjacent formations. Steam displacements were conducted, using a number of hydrocarbons and various steam-slug sizes, with the core initially containing a residual oil or irreducible water saturation. It was found that the steam-slug displacement is more efficient in the case of light oils than for the heavier ones. The injection of cold water following steam resulted in almost total condensation of the steam present in the porous medium, with the process degenerating into a hot waterflood. The oil recovery efficiency of the process depends on whether an oil bank is formed during the steam-injection phase and whether the oil responds favorably to a hot waterflood.

• Research Organization: Continental Oil Co; Pennsylvania State Univ
• OSTI ID: 6080936
• Journal Information: Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States) Vol. 11:4; ISSN SPTJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY TRANSFER
ENHANCED RECOVERY
EVALUATION
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HEAT TRANSFER
HOT WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICS
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
OIL WELLS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
POROUS MATERIALS
PRODUCTION
RECOVERY
STEAM INJECTION
THERMAL RECOVERY
WATER
WATERFLOODING
WELLS