The analysis of thermal fields at the primary stage of the steam-assisted gravity drainage process

About the authors:

Alexander Ya. Gilmanov, Cand. Sci. (Phys.-Math.), Senior Lecturer, Department of Modeling of Physical Processes and Systems, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia; a.y.gilmanov@utmn.ru; ORCID: 0000-0002-7115-1629

Konstantin M. Fedorov, Dr. Sci. (Phys.-Math.), Professor, Scientific Advisor of the Institute of Physics and Technology, University of Tyumen; k.m.fedorov@utmn.ru

Alexander P. Shevelev, Cand. Sci. (Phys.-Math.), Associate Professor, Professor, Department of Modeling of Physical Processes and Systems, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tyumen, Tyumen, Russia; a.p.shevelev@utmn.ru; ORCID: 0000-0003-0017-4871

Abstract:

This article analyzes the temperature distribution in a producer well at the primary stage of the steam-assisted gravity drainage process. The increase in share of hard-to-recover reserves requires using steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). Its successful application, in turn, depends on warming up the inter-well zone, which demands steam circulation in both wells at the primary stage of the process. The duration of this stage affects the transition to oil production and the profitability of the process, which emphasizes the importance of analyzing thermal fields at this stage to assess its duration. The existing research does not allow estimating the temperature in the producer, using the correct formulation of the problem. This paper presents the temperature distribution in a producer for SAGD for classical and chess well patterns for the first time. The aim of the work is to choose a development system for the minimum duration of primary stage of SAGD. For this purpose, the fundamental solution of the non-stationary heat equation for a continuous stationary point source in an unbounded medium is used. The estimation of temperature, at which oil becomes mobile, allows determining the primary stage duration. The authors compare the classical and chess well patterns. In addition, they have obtained the temperature distribution in producer. The results show that classical well pattern provides faster heating of inter-well zone. It is determined that the closest injection well has the greatest influence on the temperature in the producing well.

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