Tyumen scientists have proposed a new way to accelerate and increase the production of high-viscosity oil from horizontal wells. According to them, the developed model allows determining the optimal algorithm for the effect of hot steam on the oil reservoir. This, in turn, will help make the extraction process more efficient and economically profitable.
Earlier, researchers at Tyumen State University (TSU) created a way to increase the efficiency of steam-cyclic effects on oil reservoirs. This method, based on the cyclic injection of hot steam, allows increasing the production of high-viscosity oil by 20-40%. However, previous studies focused only on vertical wells.
Scientists have presented new developments that allow the use of technology in horizontal wells. This expands the possibilities of reservoir coverage and makes production more efficient.
The method proposed by the specialists is based on the application of a model created by them. This model helps to determine the optimal parameters for steam-cyclic effects on the oil reservoir. In particular, it allows determining the optimal injection rate, injection duration, and production rate. Thanks to this, it is possible to achieve maximum oil production efficiency per year.
The authors of the study emphasized that the development is important not only for increasing production but also for accelerating calculations. Unlike traditional commercial hydrodynamic simulators, which can take hours or even days, the new method allows obtaining results in just a few minutes.
The uniqueness of our model is that it is based on physically sound assumptions and balance relations, which minimizes the amount of input data and simplifies calculations without loss of accuracy.
Scientists at TSU claim that the model has shown its effectiveness in several northern fields in the European part of Russia.
The results showed that the development allows increasing the oil recovery rate by five to ten percent. For a field, this can mean profits of millions of rubles.
Researchers strive to take into account the layered heterogeneity of the reservoir to improve development.
Earlier, Dubna University created a new technology to improve the efficiency of oil production. It allows more accurately controlling the supply of water, which displaces oil to the surface.
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