What is heavy oil thermal recovery technology?
At present, the commonly used oil recovery technologies for heat treatment oil layers mainly include injection of hot fluid (such as steam and hot water) and burning oil layers. Among them, the oil recovery method of heated steam treatment oil layer mainly includes two methods: steam huff and puff and steam drive according to the characteristics of its oil recovery process.
Characteristics and challenges of heavy oil
Heavy oil usually has the characteristics of high viscosity, greater density and lower fluidity, which are significantly different from conventional light crude oil. Its main features include:
High viscosity, high density, and poor fluidity not only increase the difficulty and cost of extraction, but also make the ultimate recovery rate of the oil field very low. The key to heavy oil recovery is to improve its flow ability in oil reservoirs, wellbores and gathering pipelines.
Low content of light components and high content of colloids and asphaltene: Heavy oil has less light components and high content of colloids and asphaltene, which increases its viscosity and adhesion.
Viscosity is sensitive to temperature: The viscosity of heavy oil decreases significantly as the temperature increases, which provides a technical basis for thermal recovery of heavy oil.
Principles and applications of heavy oil thermal recovery technology
Heavy oil thermal recovery technology provides thermal energy to the oil layer to increase the temperature of the oil layer rock and fluid, thereby increasing the oil driving power of the oil reservoir, reducing the viscosity of the oil reservoir fluid, preventing wax formation in the oil layer, reducing the seepage resistance of the oil layer, and achieving better results. Good for mining heavy oil and high pour point oil.
At present, the commonly used oil recovery technologies for heat treatment oil layers mainly include injection of hot fluid (such as steam and hot water) and burning oil layers.
Hot fluid injection methods: Including steam driving and hot water driving, high-temperature fluid is injected into the oil layer to increase the temperature of the oil layer, thereby reducing the viscosity of the heavy oil and promoting flow.
Method of burning oil layer by fire: By injecting oxygen and other oxidants into the oil layer, the oil vapor in the oil layer is ignited, causing high-temperature combustion, increasing the temperature of the oil layer, and reducing the viscosity of heavy oil.
