New downhole steam generator tested

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Pet. Eng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6275583

Bleakley, W B

Completion of 2 field tests of a new-model down-hole steam generator paves the way for further evaluation and development of a system destined to increase California's heavy oil production. Current air pollution restrictions there prevent installation of conventional steam generators in several areas of interest to oil operators. The current series of tests, conducted by Chemical Oil Recovery Co. (CORCO) of Bakersfield, California, follows an earlier prototype operation conducted by Sandia National Laboratories in conjunction with the US Department of Energy. The CORCO tests were conducted on the surface with the generator's output going into Tenneco Oil Exploration and Production Co.'s overland-Riokern Well No. 80, located in the Kern River field 4 miles north of Bakersfield. The first test was concluded with just under 1000 bbl of steam injected, less than planned due to a higher-than-expected injection pressure. The unit operated at less than 25% capacity because of the air compressor limitation. Compressor output was only 285 psi, not enough to inject the desired volumes into the reservoir. Test data shows that injection amounted to 150 bpd of 90 to 95% quality steam at 225-psi wellhead pressure. After injection, the well was shut in for 3 days to allow soaking, then put on production. Initial production was 40 bopd at 175 F.

• OSTI ID: 6275583
• Journal Information: Pet. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Pet. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 53:8; ISSN PENGA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
AIR POLLUTION
BOILERS
CALIFORNIA
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY TRANSFER
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FEDERAL REGION IX
FIELD TESTS
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HEAT TRANSFER
HEATING
NORTH AMERICA
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
POLLUTION
PRODUCTION
RECOVERY
STEAM GENERATORS
STEAM INJECTION
TESTING
THERMAL RECOVERY
USA
VAPOR GENERATORS
VISCOSITY
WELLS