Reanalyzing Thermocouple Temperature Response for Evidence of Convective Flow

• Author / Creator

  Aghabarati, Mohammad

• Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) technology has made possible the in situ production of bitumen at commercial scale. In this study, different mechanisms involved in heat transfer through porous media above SAGD steam chambers are investigated. Semi-analytical and numerical models have been utilized in the assessment of the physics of heat transfer above steam chambers. Real thermocouple data of SAGD operations are extracted from appended files to in-situ performance presentations submitted to the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) by operators. Quality assurance of the extracted data is also conducted in order to minimize the fluid effects in observation wells. Semi-analytical and numerical investigation of results along with available petrophysical logs are used to estimate the location of steam chamber front and also contributing heat transfer mechanisms through the overlying strata.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • SAGD
  • heat transfer
  • conduction
  • convection
  • thermal diffusivity
  • observation wells

• Graduation date

  Fall 2017

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3MS3KF9Q

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.