Mechanistic Simulation Study of Steam-Solvent Coinjection for Bitumen and Heavy-Oil Recovery

• Author / Creator

  Keshavarz, Mohsen

• Solvent-steam coinjection has been proposed as an alternative to SAGD. Detailed oil recovery mechanisms of coinjection are little known due to complex interaction of phase behavior, and fluid and energy flow.
  
  This research conducts a detailed mechanistic study of phase behavior and its contribution to oil displacement efficiency and drainage rate near the chamber edge. Importance of properly considering both phase behavior and flow to design an optimized coinjection process is demonstrated.
  
  We propose a systematic procedure for optimum selection of solvent and its coinjection strategy. Results show that a proper design can significantly improve the oil production rate compared to steam-only injection. We also demonstrate how enhanced displacement efficiency can be achieved during a coinjection process.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Bitumen Recovery Mechanisms
  • Thermal Oil Recovery
  • Multiphase Flow
  • Displacement Efficiency
  • Solvent Aided Process (SAP)
  • Coinjection Strategy
  • Numerical Reservoir Simulation
  • Steam-Solvent Coinjection
  • Solvent Methods
  • Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD)
  • Optimum Coinjection Solvent
  • Expanding-Solvent-Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (ES-SAGD)

• Graduation date

  Fall 2013

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3810P

• 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.