Review of steam-assisted gravity drainage projects: main steps of their application, comparative analysis of the main parameters

Introduction. Today, high-viscosity oils present a significant fraction of hydrocarbon reserves. The production of such resources is possible by application of the steam-assisted gravity drainage technology. This process is technically complex and expensive procedure. One of the tools of the process forecast is the selection of the most signifi cant characteristics and assessment of their quantitative values of candidate fields for successful application of steam-assisted gravity drainage.

The aim of the article is comparative analysis of the results of experimental study of the steam-assisted gravity drainage process with the field experience of implementing this technology abroad and by Tatneft .

Materials and methods. The analysis of the main experimental and mathematical models of process is carried out, the advantages and disadvantages of the approaches are highlighted. A representative sample of projects has been obtained. Based on the analysis procedure, the key parameters determining process effectiveness under consideration are highlighted. The comparison of average values of the parameters for a group of Russian and foreign fields is carried out.

Results. A comparative analysis of field data made it possible to establish ranges of values of key parameters for the implementation of steam-assisted gravity drainage. The foreign experience of using the technology is compared with the pilot projects of Tatneft .

Conclusion. It is shown that the thermal problem prevails over gravitational segregation processes. In general, the main steps and features of the process established in experimental and theoretical investigations are presented in the fi eld pilots monitoring.

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