Physical simulation of improving the uniformity of steam chamber growth in the steam assisted gravity drainage

Abstract

In steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process, there is an uneven distribution of steam chamber growth along the whole length of the horizontal well. In order to solve this problem, a three-dimensional high-pressure physical model of a SAGD well pair was built. Several significant reservoirs and operation parameters for SAGD were also scaled in the model size, which was based on SAGD pilot development of a typical reservoir in China. Three experiments were conducted using the above-mentioned high-temperature and high-pressure physical model. Test 1 simulated the slow steam chamber growth at the toe end and uneven distribution of steam chamber growth. Test 2 tested the regulation strategy with dual tubing strings to adjust the steam chamber based on Test 1-combining the long and short tubing strings for injection well and production well. Test 3 tested the regulation strategy with U-shape wellbore to adjust the steam chamber. The results showed that the two regulation strategies were effective for recovering steam chamber growth at the toe end and making steam chamber growth uniform along the length of SAGD wellbore. After regulating, the oil rate increased significantly. Key words: steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), high-pressure and high-temperature, 3-D scaled physical simulation, steam chamber growth