Comprehensive review of enhanced oil recovery strategies for heavy oil and bitumen reservoirs in various countries: Global perspectives, challenges, and solutions

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive review of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods tailored specifically for high permeable heavy oil/bitumen (HOB) reservoirs, encompassing reservoir properties, production techniques, and associated challenges. In contrast to existing literature, this research uses a novel approach by delving into the production history and methodologies employed in prominent HOB-producing countries.As a result, some comprehensive primary reservoir threshold criteria are created via coupling the presented information in various literatures. Also, the analysis reveals diverse global strategies for HOB production. Canada's majority of HOB reservoirs, with average gravity less than 11 API, employ surface mining and cold production with sand. Russia's higher gravity HOB reservoirs face challenges with combustion methods. Venezuela emphasizes multilateral horizontal wells and EOR methods like down-hole electrical heaters, surfactant injection and thermal methods. In the USA, a novel downhole steam generation method shows promise. Argentina focuses on Centenario formation production with steam injection and polymer/gel treatment after water flooding, while China utilizes cyclic steam stimulation (CSS), Fire flooding and integrated technologies after water flooding. Oman's Marmul field uses polymer and alkaline-surfactant-polymer flooding for water-cut reduction while Sudan employs infill horizontal wells, deeper re-completion, cement squeezing, partially perforating for the same purpose. As a final conclusion, surface mining is prevalent for low-depth bitumen reservoirs, whereas cold methods are preferred during the early stages of heavy oil production. Furthermore, among the EOR methods, CSS has the biggest share in oil production specially in Colombia (Middle Magdalena basin), Canada (Athabasca field) and China.These findings underscore the importance of tailoring extraction methods to the unique characteristics of each HOB reservoir for optimal production efficiency. By leveraging insights from global production histories and innovative techniques, substantial improvements in oil recovery and operational efficiency can be achieved, paving the way for sustainable utilization of this vital energy resource.

Keywords

• Heavy oil
• Bitumen
• Recovery method
• Distribution
• High permeable
• Production challenges