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New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

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Page 1: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Page 2: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

New Production TechnologiesNew Production Technologies

Maurice B. DusseaultUniversity of Waterloo

Waterloo Ontario Canada

SPE Distinguished Lecture Series – 2002-2003

Page 3: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

SPE DISTINGUISHED LECTURER SERIESis funded principally

through a grant of the

SPE FOUNDATIONThe Society gratefully acknowledges

those companies that support the programby allowing their professionals

to participate as Lecturers.

And special thanks to The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical,and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) for their contribution to the program.

Page 4: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

New Production TechnologiesNew Production Technologies

CHOPS (Cold Heavy Oil Prod. w. Sand)PPT (Pressure Pulsing Techniques)GAD (Gravity Assisted Drainage)

IGI (Inert Gas Injection)SAGD (Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage)VAPEX (Vapor-Assisted Petr. EXtraction)

Hybrids of these will be used Projects will use them in “phases”

Page 5: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

The Coming Revolution Will:The Coming Revolution Will:

Allow much higher oil recovery from all types of oil reservoirs Allow us to re-enter old fields and recover much of the oil left behindPermit economic recovery of more viscous oils (μ > 100 cP in situ)Extend recoverable reserves of world oil dramatically

Page 6: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

World ReservesWorld Reserves

Currently, 90% of production is from conventional oilHeavy oil and bitumen are growing rapidlyCanada and Venezuela together have >35% of the non-conventional oil reserves in sands

Extra Heavy and Bitumen

55%

ConventionalOil - 30%

Heavy Oil15%

Conventional <100 cPHeavy Oil 100 – 10000 cPBitumen >10,000 cP

World Oil in Place

Page 7: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Future of Conventional OilFuture of Conventional Oil

2001 predictions:Demand +1.5%/yr Less replacement World production peaks in ~2006-2008Middle East now at 30%, 50% by 2011

Q- BB/yr

20

~29-31

Conventional Oil Prediction in RedTotal Need Prediction in Blue Dots

2006-

1978 2008

Campbell and LaherrèreMarch 1998 Scientific American, p. 78 ff

Heavy oil, bitumen, & other sources

Page 8: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Viscous Oil Technology Viscous Oil Technology -- 19851985

Only CSS was commercially viable, and only in the very best reservoirs (> 25 m, uniform, homogenous)

Isaacs, 1998CyclicSteam

Stimulation

Horizontalwells

Verticalwells

Thermal

X X

X

Non-thermal

Page 9: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Technology Status Technology Status -- 20022002

Commercial technologies have emerged in all categories

Modified afterIsaacs, 1998

CyclicSteam

Stimulation

Horizontalwells

Verticalwells

Thermal

SAGDCold Flow

IGI(VAPEX?)

CHOPSPPT

Non-thermal

Page 10: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Technology DriversTechnology Drivers

Better understanding of the physicsBetter equipment

Progressing cavity pumpsCoiled tubing drilling and workovers

Horizontal wells Improved monitoring technologiesBetter waste handling and disposalCanadian heavy oil and tar sands worketc…

Page 11: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Alberta Bitumen ProductionAlberta Bitumen Production

2.2 MB/day

0.75 MB/day

Courtesy: Alberta EUB

Page 12: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Horizontal Wells (Cold)Horizontal Wells (Cold)

Large numbers of horizontal wells have been drilled in Canada since 1990Applications in many technologies

Direct “cold production” of oilInert Gas InjectionThermal processes (SAGD, drive, …)WAG, various IOR configurations

But, the biggest use ultimately may be gravity assisted drainage

Page 13: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

The The ““OldOld”” TechnologiesTechnologies

Page 14: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

The The ““OldOld”” TechnologiesTechnologies

Cyclic steam stimulationSteam drive (many variations)Pressure-driven (Δp) processes

High p water floods, solvents…Pressure-driven combustion processes

Wet or dry, forward or reverse, air or O2

All these processes suffer fromAdvective instability (Δp & μ instabilities)Poor recovery, heat cost, well problems

Page 15: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Steam Drive ProcessesSteam Drive Processes

Air or hot water in

Production row

Sectional view

•Gravity override•Bypassed oil

•Poor recovery•High heat losses•Sheared wells

Page 16: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

CHOPSCHOPS

C – ColdH – HeavyO – Oil P – Production with SandProduces > 550,000 bbl/day of <20°API oil in Canada (25% of total!)>20% oil recovery in good reservoirsApplicable worldwide? (I think so)

Page 17: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

A CHOPS Case HistoryA CHOPS Case History

Luseland Field, SaskatchewanShows well improvement with CHOPS

Average 5- to 6-fold increaseShows the physical reasons for +QShows that horizontals are not as successful in these sandsThe field selected has many similarities to other unconsolidated sandstones around the world

Page 18: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Luseland Field HistoryLuseland Field History

30 verticals drilled in 1982-85Produced using beam pumps, low sand content in oil (<0.5%)Horizontals tried in 1992-1993 (6×600 m), not successful (all abandoned by 1998)Aggressive CHOPS w. PC pumps started in 1994Now, about 4% sand cut in liquids

Page 19: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Luseland Field ParametersLuseland Field Parameters

Bakken Fmn. (unconsolidated)Z = 800 m, φ = 28 - 30%, k = 2-4 DAPI = 11.5-13°, μ = 1400 cP (live oil in situ, gas in solution)So = 0.72, Sw = 0.28 (high!), Sg = 0Stratum thickness: 5 - 15 m in centreInitial pressure: po ~ 6-7 MPa, T ~ 30°CGas bubble point: pb ≈ po

Page 20: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

““TypicalTypical”” Horizontal WellHorizontal Well

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Jan-93 Jan-94 Jan-95 Jan-96 Jan-97 Jan-98

Prod

uctio

n ra

te -

bbl/d

Oil rate

Water rate

Luseland Field, 600 m long well

Page 21: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Field Production HistoryField Production History

Feb-82 Feb-86 Feb-90 Feb-94 Feb-98

Oil

and

Wat

er R

ates

-m

3 /mo

Luseland Field, Monthly Oil and Water Rates

4000

8000

12000

16000 Oil rate

Water rate

Beam pumps, small amounts of sand

Start aggressive CHOPS

20,000

Page 22: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Well 14Well 14--8 Performance8 Performance

Jan-81 Jan-85 Jan-89 Jan-93 Jan-97 Jan-01

Prod

uctio

n ra

te (b

bl/d

)

0

50

100

150

200

250Central Well 14 - 8

Start CHOPS

Oil rate

Water rate

Luseland Field

Page 23: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Total Oil & Water ProductionTotal Oil & Water Production

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000Comparison of total oil and water production to Dec 98, all Luseland vertical wells

1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 37 40 43 46 49 52

Tota

l Pro

duct

ion,

Oil

or W

ater

-bb

l

Oil production

Water production

Mean = 161,947 bbl/oil/well

Mean = 58,750 bbl/H2O/well

Luseland Field

Mainly recent high risk wells

Page 24: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Why More Oil??Why More Oil??

If sand flows, resistance to liquid flow is reduced“Foamy oil” behavior accelerates flow and destabilizes the sandA growing high permeability zone around the well is createdAny mechanical skin (asphaltenes, clay) is continuously removed

Page 25: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Well Behavior in CHOPSWell Behavior in CHOPS

MonthsMonths00 66 1212 1818 2424 3030 3636 4242

BOPD

BOPD

000

252525

505050

757575

100100100

125125125

150150150

175175175

% Sand

% Sand

0.00.0

2.52.5

5.05.0

7.57.5

10.010.0

12.512.5

15.015.0

17.517.5

BOPD% Sand

After Wong & OgrodnickAfter Wong & Ogrodnick

Page 26: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

For Successful CHOPSFor Successful CHOPS

Foamy oil mechanism must be active (sufficient gas in solution)Continuous sand failure must occur (unconsolidated sands)No free water zones in the reservoirPC pumps are necessaryIntegrated sand handling system

Sound sand disposal technology

Page 27: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Progressing Cavity PumpProgressing Cavity Pump

Polished rod

Production flow lineWell-head assembly

Sucker or co-rods inproduction tubing

Chromed rotor infixed stator

Belt drive withtorque controlElectric motor(or hydraulic)

Well casing (usually 175 mm)

Production tubing(usually 72 or 88 mm)

Page 28: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

CHOPSCHOPS

New Idea?“Other things being equal, the maximum recovery of oil from an unconsolidated sand is directly dependent upon the maximum recovery of the sand itself. … The higher the viscosity and the lower the gas pressure within the oil reservoir the greater becomes the importance of creating and maintaining a movement of sand toward a producing well.”

W. Kobbe, AIME New York Meeting, February, 1917. Trans. AIME, Vol. LVI, p. 814.

Courtesy Ed Hanzlik, ChevTex

Page 29: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

CHOPS SummaryCHOPS Summary

More profitable than thermal methods Very low CAPEX (cheap verticals)OPEX has been reduced to ~$4.00/bblPumping issues are now solved (PC pumps can handle large sand %)Sand disposal has been solvedProduction is currently limited only by:

Upgrading capacity

Page 30: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

PPTPPT

P - PressureP - PulsingT – TechniquesSharp pressure pulses applied to the liquid in wellsReduces advective instabilitiesReduces capillary blockage effectsReduces pore throat blockage

Page 31: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Pressure Pressure PulsingPulsingLaboratoryLaboratorySetupSetup sand pack

Page 32: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

OilOil--Wet Wet -- WaterfloodWaterflood

Time = 139.2 s Time = 138.7 s

35 cP light oil

water flood

0.5 m static pressure head

identical tests

No pulsing Pulsing

Page 33: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Effects of PulsingEffects of Pulsing

Increases the basic flow rateIncreases OOIP recoveryReduces coning, viscous fingeringReduces plugging by fines and asphaltenesHelps overcome capillary barriers at throatsEmerging technology, much remains to be optimized

Page 34: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Pulsing Sustains Oil ProductionPulsing Sustains Oil Production

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

01-May-99 31-May-99 30-Jun-99 30-Jul-99 29-Aug-99 28-Sep-99 28-Oct-99

Oil

Prod

-7

Offs

et W

ells

(bbl

/d)

Pre PulsingPulsingPost Pulsing

Lindburgh Field, water flood; 9,800 cP oil + sand

Page 35: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

E.g.: Incremental Heavy Oil E.g.: Incremental Heavy Oil

0

100

200

300

400

500

Nov-98 Mar-99 Jul-99 Nov-99 Mar-00

Incremental oil

Oil

rate

–m

3 /day

–6

offs

et w

ells

Before pulsing Pulsing startedPulsing stopped

Economic limit

Reservoir:Near end of CHOPS life10,600 cP, φ = 30%Waterflood in 1 pulse well

6 months

Page 36: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Page 37: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Page 38: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

PPT and Horizontal WellsPPT and Horizontal Wells

PPT wells (cheap vertical wells)

Flow enhancement

Production

Horizontal multi-lateral

Page 39: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

GADGAD

G – GravityA – AssistedD – Drainage methodsHorizontal wells are essentialFlow is driven by density differencesMost effective with a gas phaseWells produce slowly, but recovery ratios can be very high, >90%

Page 40: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Inert Gas InjectionInert Gas Injection

dm

oil

gaswaterΔp

Generally, it is a top down displacement process,

gravitationally assisted and density stabilized

Note: in a water-wet reservoir,a continuous 3-D oil film exists,providing that γwg > γog + γwo

Gas is injected high in the reservoir to move the oil

interface downward

Recovery % can be high

Page 41: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

IGI, With StructureIGI, With Structure

oil bank, two-phase zonewater-wet sand

horizontal wellsparallel to structure

inert gas injection

keep Δp to a minimum

gas rates are controlled toavoid gas (or water) coning

three-phase zone

mainly gas

water, one phase

Voidage balance necessary!

Page 42: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

IGI in FlatIGI in Flat--Lying StrataLying Strata

no Δp, noH2O coning

no Δp, nogas coning

ΔV/Δt]oil + water

= ΔV/Δt]gas

(voidage filled)

CO2, N2, CH4, other gases

3-phaseregion

2-phaseregion

horizontalwells

vertical wells

Δp ~ 0

Page 43: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Gravity Drainage of ReefsGravity Drainage of Reefs

gas capnew horizontalwell trajectory

bottom water drive (some wells are

converted to water injection)

gasinj.

Oil bank is “squeezed”into the horizontal well

by proper pressure controlso that density controls flow

low Δp

old production wellsnow used to balance

voidage, control coning

Page 44: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

IGI SummaryIGI Summary

Method commercialized in CanadaNot for thermal heavy oilGood kv is required (if no structure)Ideal approach for converting old conventional fields to a GD processOperating expenses are quite lowShould be considered for new fields, and for renewing old fields

Page 45: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

SAGD, VAPEX & HybridsSAGD, VAPEX & Hybrids

InjectionProduction

Glacial Gravel and Till

Colorado Group

Mannville

Clearwater A & B

McMurray Oil Sands

Paleozoic Limestone

130m

300m

395m

450m

525m

Ground

Courtesy Neil Edmunds, EnCana

Foster Creek, Alberta

Page 46: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

SAGD (or VAPEX) SchematicSAGD (or VAPEX) Schematic

EAST

Steam Chamber

Steam Injector

Steam Flow

Oil Flow

Slots

Oil Producer

SAGD Facility

Oil Sand Formation

Courtesy Neil Edmunds, EnCana

Page 47: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

SAGD PhysicsSAGD Physics

steam + oil+water + CH4

liquid level

oil and water

θlateral steamchamber extension

“insulated”region

countercurrentflow

CH4 + oil

countercurrentflow

Keep Δp small to maximize stability

overburden

water legcool bitumen plug

Page 48: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

PorePore--Scale ProcessesScale Processes

mineral grain

mineral grain

mineral grain

mineral grain

steam +gases

H2OCH4CO2

oil

oil

Countercurrent flow inthe pores and throatslead to a stable 3-phasesystem.

The oil flow is aided bya “thin-film” surfacetension effect whichhelps to draw down theoil very efficiently.

To maintain a gravity-dominated flow system, it is essential to createthe fully interconnectedphases, and to not tryand overdrive using high pressures.

waterwater

Page 49: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Shale Barriers and SAGDShale Barriers and SAGD

ΔV

T

dehydroxylation?

dehydration

sandstone ΔV

shale response

fracturesbypassing

SAGD passes through shalesbecause of ΔV/ΔT & t effects

Shales are impermeable to steam, and behave differently

than sands

>300°C>125°C

Page 50: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Thermal GAD ProcessesThermal GAD Processes

Best for heavy oils (<20°API?)Good heat efficiency & flow stabilityHigh recovery ratios are possibleMay be used with other approaches (CHOPS or SAGD + cyclic steam)Not the solution to all heavy oil cases!!Heat costs are an issue (t > 15 m)Careful optimization needed

Page 51: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Recovery Ratios in GADRecovery Ratios in GAD

> 75-95% OOIP in lab. WHY?Three-phase continuity → no oil is isolated from the ρ-flow system (no pinch off)Even the oil in low-k zones will slowly drain, aided by T or miscible gasesNo Δp = no fingering: sweep efficiency is remarkably high, fronts are stable

Page 52: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Ganglia Reconnection in GADGanglia Reconnection in GAD

γwg > γog + γwo

isolated ganglia (immobile)oil

gas

Generation of a 3-phaseinterconnected system

from two 2-phase regions

gravity forces at uppertip of a gas channel

are at the pore-scale only

oil

gasrapid oil

spreading(disjoining film)

no oil filminitially

Page 53: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

GAD SummaryGAD Summary

Must keep Δp low for stabilityThree-phases, oil-water-gas, is bestWells are at base of the reservoirReservoirs must be relatively thick Countercurrent density flow occurs Helped by gas, steam, condensable fluid injection & good pressure control

Page 54: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

Time Moves OnTime Moves On……

SAGD will never be practical (1984)Over 200 pairs to be installed in 2001-2003

Producing 20% sand is not feasible (1988)Over 550,000 b/d from CHOPS in 2002

VAPEX can’t ever be economical (1995)First field trials are now starting

Pulse flow enhancement not possible (1999)3 small-scale successes to date

Don’t write off new ideas lightly!

Page 55: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

The New TechnologiesThe New Technologies

SAGD

PPT

VAPEX

Years

~6-8

2

0

Status(2002)

$profitable

$$early days

? no field trials yet

Suitability

Probably limited to thicker zones, > 15-20 m

CHOPS >10 $$$ - fullycommercial

Best for 5-20 m zones,no mobile water or water legs

Useful along with other methods (cold flow, CHOPS)

Method

Best in >20°API cases, or along with SAGD

IGI >10 $$$ Good kv & low μ needed

Page 56: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

ConclusionsConclusions

Conventional oil will peak (4-6 years?)Good for heavy oil, IOR, profitsRemarkable technology advances recently (mainly in Canada)We must try to consolidate & perfect themThe future for heavy oil & IOR looks genuinely promising at present

Page 57: New Production Technologies - James Peak · New Production Technologies New Production Technologies Maurice B. Dusseault University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario Canada SPE Distinguished

New Production Technologies

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Society of Petroleum EngineersLocal Sections of the SPE who are hosting meDonna Neukum, SPE – the OrganizerCheryl Stark, SPE, - the EditorColleagues and companies