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Steamflood strategies for a steeply dipping reservoir

Journal Article · · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/15089-PA· OSTI ID:6687480
A computer simulation study was conducted to determine the best steamflood strategy for a steeply dipping (20/sup 0/ (0.35-rad)) reservoir. A compositional steamflood simulator was used with both two-dimensional (2D cross section) and three-dimensional (3D) models of the reservoir. The study showed that gravity drainage of the heated oil is the main production mechanism in steamflooding steeply dipping reservoirs. Consequently, oil production is strongly affected by injector and producer locations. The best steamflood strategy for this type of reservoir, therefore, involves judicious selection of injector and producer locations, reducing steam injection rate and shutting in wells selectively at appropriate times, and injecting a noncondensable gas to prevent steam cycling in the depleted updip portion of the reservoir. This paper compares oil production performances and steamflood efficiencies for nine different operating strategies and recommends the best strategy for a steeply dipping reservoir.
Research Organization:
Chevron Oil Field Research Co. (US)
OSTI ID:
6687480
Journal Information:
SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 3:2; ISSN SREEE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English