Investigation into the mechanism of oil production by intermittant steam injection

Thesis/Dissertation · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1969

OSTI ID:6885509

Shen, C W

Since the thermal recovery process of the intermittent steam injection was accidentally discovered in Venezuela in 1959, it has become one of the most promising producing methods for recovery of high viscosity petroleum. Few theoretical approaches have been described notwithstanding the active interest in applying the process in the field. The objective of this research was to obtain more accurate information and a better understanding of the mechansim of steam injection, soaking and oil production. Particular emphasis was placed on the variations of oil and water saturations in both steam and water zones as affected by changes in the back pressure. During this study, 20 experiments were performed on linear tubes containing quartz sand in the absence of clay. Refined oils were used that had viscosities of 99 cp and 207 cp at 75/sup 0/F. The temperatures of injected steam in the steam zone ranged from 225/sup 0/ to 390/sup 0/F, and the steam-injection rates varied from 140 to 400 cc/hr. Steam injection consists of 3 distinct drives: a cold-water drive by condensed and cooled water followed by a hot-water drive, and then by a steam drive. The steam drive shows a typical piston-like displacement.

• OSTI ID: 6885509
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
LATIN AMERICA
OIL SATURATION
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
PRODUCTION
RECOVERY
SATURATION
SOUTH AMERICA
STEAM INJECTION
STIMULATION
THERMAL RECOVERY
VENEZUELA
VISCOSITY
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS