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Impact of Well Configuration on Performance of Steam-Based UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Impact of Well Configuration on Performance of Steam-based Gravity Drainage Recovery Processes by Mohamed Rajab Tamer A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL & PETROLEUM ENGINEERING CALGARY, ALBERTA October, 2008 © Mohamed Tamer 2008 ISBN: 978-0-494-51161-9 ii UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES The undersigned certify that they have read, and recommend to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for acceptance, a thesis entitled "Impact of Well Configuration on Performance of Steam-based Gravity Drainage Recovery Processes" submitted by Mohamed Rajab Tamer in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science. Supervisor, Dr. Ian. D. Gates, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Dr. Michael S. Kallos Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Dr. Mingzhe Dong Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Dr. Stephen M. Hubbard Department of Geoscience Date iii Abstract The volume of heavy oil and bitumen in the oil sands deposits in Western Canada is similar to that of conventional crude oil in the Middle East. This resource is immense but is difficult and energy intensive to extract because the viscosity of the oil is high, typically over 100,000 to 1,000,000+ cP at original reservoir conditions. Current commercial thermal recovery processes used are Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) and Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS). These methods are both energy intensive and use large volumes of water to recover the oil. In this thesis, the focus is on SAGD- type processes. It has been demonstrated that operating strategy can be altered to improve SAGD performance but it is not clear how well configuration can be changed to improve recovery, energy intensity, thermal efficiency, water use, and flue gas emissions. This thesis examines the impact of position and geometry of steam injectors on the performance of SAGD-like processes in homogenous and heterogeneous reservoirs. Different injection well configurations including single horizontal (typical SAGD), offset SAGD, and vertical/horizontal well combinations have been evaluated by using a detailed, three-dimensional, geostatistically-populated, large-scale thermal reservoir simulation model derived from core and log data of the Dover pilot site. The research reveals how injection well configuration impacts energy delivery to the reservoir, thermal efficiency, and how it changes the evolution of the steam conformance zone and oil flow dynamics in the reservoir. The results suggest that vertical injectors have the potential to deliver steam more efficiently than a single horizontal injector. iv Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge to my supervisor Dr. Ian D. Gates for his valuable advice during the entire program. His help and guidance, and above all, his abundance of patience and understanding were instrumental in completion of my graduate studies. I would like to acknowledge and thank the Government of Libya who provided the financial support to cover all my expenses during my visit to Canada, and all of the individuals who are working at the Libyan Cultural Section in Ottawa for their support and help. I would like also to thank the examination committee, Dr. Mingzhe Dong, Dr. Michael Kallos, and Dr. Stephen M. Hubbard for reading and reviewing my thesis. Their comments were very helpful. I would like to thank all individuals at the University of Calgary who helped me throughout my MSc program. I would like also to thank all my family-members and friends back home for their continuous support during my stay in Canada v Dedication To my parents, Rahma, and Rajab, Thanks for your prayers for me To my family, Hanaa, Moaid and Sufana Thanks for being patient during my MSc. program. vi Table of Contents Approval Page ..................................................................................................................... ii Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iv Dedication ............................................................................................................................v Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ....................................................................................................................... I List of Figures and Illustrations .......................................................................................... II List of Symbols, Abbreviations and Nomenclature .......................................................... XI CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................1 1.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ...........................................................................................6 1.3 Objectives of the Study ..............................................................................................7 1.4 Methodology of Research ..........................................................................................7 1.5 Thesis Structure .........................................................................................................8 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE SURVEY ...................................................................10 2.1 Background of Steam-Based Recovery Processes ...................................................10 2.1.1 Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) .....................................................................11 2.1.2 Steam Flooding ................................................................................................13 2.1.3 Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) .....................................................13 2.2 Development of Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Well Configurations ...............14 2.3 Effects of Reservoir Heterogeneities on SAGD ......................................................35 CHAPTER THREE: CONSTRUCTION OF THE THERMAL RESERVOIR MODEL ....................................................................................................................39 3.1 Summary ..................................................................................................................39 3.2 Model Dimensions ...................................................................................................39 3.3 Geological Model ....................................................................................................41 3.3.1 Homogeneous Geological Model ....................................................................41 3.3.2 Heterogeneous Geostatistical Model ...............................................................42 3.3.2.1 Regional Geological Description of Dover area ....................................42 3.3.2.2 Geostatistical Modeling Work ...............................................................43 3.4 Fluid Component Model ..........................................................................................54 3.5 Relative Permeability Data ......................................................................................55 3.6 Overburden and Understrata Rock Properties .........................................................56 3.7 Well Configurations .................................................................................................57 3.7.1 Typical SAGD Well Configuration .................................................................57 3.7.2 Vertical Well SAGD ........................................................................................58 3.7.3 Vertical Injection Wells and Horizontal Production Well Configuration .......59 3.7.4 Offset Well Configurations .............................................................................59 vii 3.7.4.1 9 m Offset Well Configuration ..............................................................60 3.7.4.2 6 m Offset Well Configuration ..............................................................60 3.7.4.3 Offset Vertical Well Configuration .......................................................61 3.7.4.4 Offset Vertical and Horizontal Well Configuration ..............................63 3.8 Well Constraints ......................................................................................................63 3.9 Model Initialization ..................................................................................................63 3.10 Model Life .............................................................................................................64 CHAPTER FOUR: IMPACT OF WELL CONFIGURATIONS IN HOMOGENEOUS GEOLOGY ...............................................................................65 4.1 Summary ..................................................................................................................65 4.2 Performance of SAGD-Like Operations Tested in a Homogeneous Geological Model .....................................................................................................................65 4.2.1 Steam Injection Rate ........................................................................................65
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