Experimental Study of Catalytically Enhanced Cyclic Steam-Air Stimulation for In Situ Hydrogen Generation and Heavy Oil Upgrading

Abstract

The current study was performed for the experimental modeling of cyclic steam-air injection in a heavy oil reservoir model of dual porosity in the presence of a nickel-based catalyst for in situ oil upgrading enhanced by simultaneous hydrogen generation. The research was realized in the combustion tube setup with a sandpack core model under reservoir conditions due to the consistent injection of air followed by oil in situ combustion (ISC) and steam (water) injection. As a result, the original oil was upgraded regarding fractional composition and oil properties. In addition, simulated reservoir heterogeneity and cyclic stimulation intensified the hydrogen synthesis, which, in turn, could also contribute to oil upgrading.

Keywords

• catalyst
• hydrogen
• heavy oil upgrading
• in situ combustion
• steam methane conversion
• sandstone