A spatial-statistical investigation of surface expressions associated with cyclic steaming in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field, California

Pollack, Ahinoam; Mukerji, Tapan; Fu, Pengcheng; Nelson, Don; Bartling, Bill; Toland, Michael; Lopez, Andy; Guice, Rod

doi:10.1007/s40948-020-00142-4

Title: A spatial-statistical investigation of surface expressions associated with cyclic steaming in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field, California

Journal Article · 27 January 2020 · Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-020-00142-4 · OSTI ID:1635453

^[1]; Mukerji, Tapan ^[1];

^[2]; Nelson, Don ^[3]; Bartling, Bill ^[4]; Toland, Michael ^[4]; Lopez, Andy ^[4]; Guice, Rod ^[5]

Stanford Univ., CA (United States)
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Consulting Petroleum Engineer, Bakersfield, CA (United States)
California Department of Conservation, Sacramento, CA (United States)
California Resources Corporation, Bakersfield, CA (United States)

In the Midway Sunset Oil Field in Central California, operators inject steam into the shallow diatomite formation to enhance heavy oil recovery through imbibition, wettability alteration, and viscosity reduction, among other mechanisms. The injected steam, however, does not always remain in the reservoir or return through the wells. In two zones in the study area, the steam comes out at the surface, creating sinkholes, seeps, and steam outlets. These phenomena, called “surface expressions,” pose safety and environmental hazards. Even though these surface expressions are a widespread problem in Central California, they are not well documented and understood. Possible causes of the surface expressions include: high injection pressure, structurally controlled flow patterns, leakage of steam through old improperly abandoned wells, high injection volumes, or flow along naturally occurring faults, among other possible factors. This work examines attributes of the zones with surface expressions in order to determine factors that may contribute to their occurrence. Spatial statistical analysis using logistic regression, random forests, and classification trees is used to explore the relationship between the surface expressions and geological and production-related attributes. The results point to a significant spatial correlation between the surface expressions and two predictors: concentration of plugged wells and geologic seal thickness. The results guide follow-up studies to further investigate the role of well abandonment and seal thickness in the occurrence of surface expressions.

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Research Organization:: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: California Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC52-07NA27344

OSTI ID:: 1635453

Report Number(s):: LLNL-JRNL--811930; 1017551

Journal Information:: Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources, Journal Name: Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 6; ISSN 2363-8419

Publisher:: SpringerCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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02 PETROLEUM
58 GEOSCIENCES
Cyclic steaming
Diatomite
Logistic regression
Random forests
Surface expressions

Title: A spatial-statistical investigation of surface expressions associated with cyclic steaming in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field, California

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