Breccia interlayer effects on steam-assisted gravity drainage performance: experimental and numerical study

Abstract Currently, the reservoir heterogeneity is a serious challenge for developing oil sands with SAGD method. Nexen’s Long Lake project reported that breccia interlayer was widely distributed in lower and middle part of reservoir, impeding steam chamber expansion heated drainage. In this paper, two physical experiments were conducted to study impact on development production performance. Then, laboratory scale numerical simulation model established history match based 3D experimental results. Finally, sensitivity analysis thickness permeability layer performed. The influence mechanism performance analyzed by comparing temperature profile dynamics. results indicate existence causes thinner longer time reach peak rate. And, ultimate recovery reduced 15.8% due much stuck areas. show area has adverse if larger, whereas effect limited when thinner. Besides, thicker can increase required rate, but little recovery.