Evaluation of steamflood processes with horizontal wells

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/14130-PA· OSTI ID:6204744

Huang, W S; Hight, M A

Steamflood operations commonly encounter steam override problems. Close well spacing is one method used to reduce this effect. Blind spot areas still exist in the pattern, however, and leave substantial amounts of unrecovered oil after project termination. This study examines the effect of horizontal wells on improving steamflood conformance. A three-dimensional (3D) numerical steamflood simulator was used. The study involves the use of horizontal wells for mature steamfloods to reduce steam override that has already occurred and for prevention of steam override if used at the start of steamflood operations. The data used are from a typical California heavy-oil reservoir. Simulation indicates that horizontal wells can be effective for reducing or preventing steam override. For a mature 18.5-acre (7.5-ha) pattern, simulated horizontal wells increased ultimate recovery at the end of 11 years from 63.2 to 74.7% of original oil in place (OOIP). When used at the start of steamflood, a pattern of vertical and horizontal wells had a predicted recovery of 72.2% OOIP after only 7 years.

• Research Organization: Texaco Inc., E and P Technology Div., Houston, TX (US)
• OSTI ID: 6204744
• Journal Information: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 4:1; ISSN SREEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ANALOG SYSTEMS
CALIFORNIA
DATA ANALYSIS
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
DRILLING
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FEDERAL REGION IX
FLUID INJECTION
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
HORIZONTAL INTEGRATION
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
OIL WELLS
RECOVERY
SIMULATORS
STEAM INJECTION
USA
WELLS