Comparative evaluation of surface and downhold steam generation techniques

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6468694

Hart, C M

The objective of the Department of Energy's Project DEEP STEAM is to develop the technology required to economically produce heavy oil from deep reservoirs. The tasks included in this effort are the development and evaluation of thermally efficient delivery systems and downhole steam generation systems. This paper compares the technical and economic performance of conventional surface steam drives, which are strongly influenced by heat losses, with (a) thermally efficient delivery (through insulated strings) of surface generated steam, (b) low pressure combustion downhole steam generatjion, (c) high pressure combustion downhole steam generation using air as the oxygen source, and (d) high pressure combustion downhole steam generation substituting pure oxygen for air. The selection of a preferred technology based upon either total efficiency or cost is found to be strongly influenced by reservoir depth, steam mass flow rate, and sandface steam quality. Therefore, a parametric analysis has been performed which examines varying depths, injection rates and steam qualities. Results indicate that the technologies are not readily distinguishable for low injectivity reservoirs in which conventional steam drives are feasible. However, high injection rates produce a notable cost difference between high pressure combustion systems and the other technologies. Issues that must be addressed before gaining further insight into the economic viability of downhole steam generatjion are discussed. (JMT)

• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6468694
• Report Number(s): CONF-820419-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
BOILERS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
RECOVERY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESIDUAL PETROLEUM
STEAM GENERATORS
STEAM INJECTION
STIMULATION
THERMAL RECOVERY
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
VAPOR GENERATORS
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS