Saturation distributions in heavy oil reservoirs

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Title Saturation distributions in heavy oil reservoirs
Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Engineering
Department Chemical Engineering
Author Staten, Joshua Todd
Date 2016
Description Models that describe conventional reservoirs can be used to explore the possibility of heavier-than-water oil. Steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) is a common process in reservoirs with extra heavy oils (oil sands). In some cases, oil that is heavier than water is present in these reservoirs. The segregation of oil and water may cause issues for recovery. It is important to understand the initial saturation distribution of oil and water for proper design of injection. It was found through simulation that the heavy oil would pool towards the bottom of a heavy oil reservoir with water remaining on top of the oil. With capillary pressure, the heavy oil and water will form a transition zone. The extent of the transition zone is dependent on the density gradient of the oil, the density difference between the oil and water, and the slope of the capillary pressure saturation profile. This finding influences the positioning of production piping in steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) as well as possible geological pooling areas for recovery. The possibility of a water zone between oil zones increases the risk of missing oil in the reservoir when drilling or perforating.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Capillary Pressure; Heavy Oil; Oil Sands; Saturation; Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD); Vertical Equilibrium
Dissertation Name Master of Science
Language eng
Rights Management ©Joshua Todd Staten
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
ARK ark:/87278/s6cz7cd5
Setname ir_etd
ID 1345227
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6cz7cd5
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