![]() This paper describes an Enhanced Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (ESAGD) process developed for the Peace River reservoir. ![]() ![]() The mobilized bitumen and steam condensate are drained by gravity and produced through a lower horizontal well. Steam is injected into the formation through the upper horizontal well and flows to the boundaries of the steam chamber where it condenses more ยป and heats the surrounding reservoir. Pairs of horizontal wells are drilled from the tunnels into the overlying formation. The UTF applies a Shaft and Tunnel Access Concept (SATAC) to achieve formation contact. The successful demonstration of the Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) process in the Athabasca oil sands at the Underground Test Facility (UTF) prompted Shell Canada Limited to study the possible application of horizontal wells as a means of reducing the cost of bitumen production from the Peace River oil sands. A method to reduce startup time in a Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage Process where parallel horizontal wells are utilized in a reservoir is described comprising: (a) circulating steam within upper and lower horizontal wells while maintaining a substantial pressure gradient between said wells which causes hot fluids to be forced from the upper well to said lower well (b) continuing steam circulation until steam breaks through from the upper to said lower well thereby making a steam breach zone between the wells (c) directing a liquid into the upper well which liquid contains sufficient surfactant along with the steam which causes a foam to form in the steam breached zone so as to increase the pressure gradient there between and (d) displacing hydrocarbonaceous fluids between the wells because of the pressure gradient increase which causes the formation of a complete steam chamber along said wells which reduces the startup time during a Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage = , ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |