Electrically-enhanced THAI in situ combustion technology for upgrading and production of heavy oil

Abstract Nearly 70% of the global oil reserves are made up unconventional oils such as heavy oils, bitumen, and tar sand. However, they yet to be fully exploited a result capital-, energy-, water-, wastewater-, carbon-intensive nature their development. To in consistent with current goals climate crisis mitigations, technologies that more environmentally friendly high efficiencies needed. This is where toe-to-heel air injection (THAI) situ combustion process comes in. experiments semi-commercial operations have shown THAI low-oil-production-rate there was nonlinear relationship between rate production rate. Therefore, find out about feasibility adding an extra source heat order improve rates second aim testing possibility heating annular catalyst layer surrounding horizontal producer (HP) well catalytic upgrading (CAPRI ™ ), first-of-a-kind study electrically-enhanced (i.e. eTHAI) presented this paper. The eTHAI involves HP electrical coils which induced flows so generated released reservoir. Through reservoir numerical simulations using CMG STARS, it found indeed possible electrically whilst conducting pre-ignition steam subsequently operating combustion. Regardless heating, shape stability front not affected by incorporation around wellbore. In process, addition from resulted increased cumulative 32,000 m 3 compared 25,000 base case model over 834 days time. increase recovery 28% same period model. It concluded resulting acceleration recoveries implies earlier realisations returns on investment. Moreover, higher wider length used for mobilised thickness mobile zone (MOZ)). also discovered rate, less cooling effect turn quantity distributed inside As result, distribution heated coming outlet VI wells models results mobilisation rates. future work should investigate limiting beyond no appreciable achievable. Finally, operates stably, efficiently, selective sectional catalyst-surrounded wellbore feasible.