Flow visualization studies of solution gas drive process in heavy oil reservoirs using a glass micromodel

R. Bora, B. B. Maini, A. Chakma

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperConference paperpeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A series of flow visualization experiments was carried out to examine the pore scale behaviour of solution gas drive process in heavy oil reservoirs. The main objective was to test several speculative theories that have been put forward to explain anomalous production behaviour of heavy oil reservoirs producing under solution gas drive process. Contrary to previous postulations, the asphaltene constituents did not appear to play a significant role in nucleation and stabilisation of the gas bubbles evolved during the solution gas drive process. Experimental evidences also suggest that the production of heavy oil is not accompanied by a large population of micro-bubbles. These observations suggest that the production enhancement in solution gas process in heavy oil reservoirs is related to other mechanisms such as viscous coupling effects, sand production, wormhole effects, etc.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSociety of Petroleum Engineers - International Thermal Operations and Heavy Oil Symposium 1997, ITOHOS 1997
PublisherSociety of Petroleum Engineers
Pages57-65
Number of pages9
ISBN (Print)9781555634179
Publication statusPublished - 1997
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Thermal Operations and Heavy Oil Symposium 1997, ITOHOS 1997 - Bakersfield, United States
Duration: 10 Feb 199712 Feb 1997

Publication series

NameSociety of Petroleum Engineers - International Thermal Operations and Heavy Oil Symposium 1997, ITOHOS 1997

Conference

ConferenceInternational Thermal Operations and Heavy Oil Symposium 1997, ITOHOS 1997
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBakersfield
Period10/02/9712/02/97

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