Experimental Study on Well Placement Optimization for Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage to Enhance Recovery of Thin Layer Oil Sand Reservoirs

SAGD (steam-assisted gravity drainage) technique is one of the most efficient thermal recovery technologies for exploiting Mackay River thin layer oil sand reservoirs. However, when making use traditional (the production and injection well are located on same axis with horizontal spacing 0 m), steam chamber development usually insufficient because high longitudinal sweep rate steam, which seriously influences performance developing reservoirs especially. It extremely important to find an economical practicable method promote in process production; optimizing placement a reliable method. In this paper, improved proposed enhance SAGD, changing place below side (two wells not axis). Three groups 2D visualization experiments different distances between two (0 cm, 10 20 cm) were carried out, respectively, observe change development, explore EOR mechanisms. On experiment basis, optimal distance was selected perform 3D physical simulation study verity mechanism systematically. The results showed that final recoveries experimental cm 7.6% 2.3% higher than those SGAD (horizontal cm), respectively. Combined results, relative position makes first spread laterally injecting producing wells; thus, lateral promoted, changes temperature field also display area increased obviously form changed. Meanwhile, generation appropriate can combine effect displacement drainage better improve efficiency steam. Nevertheless, overlarge will hinder strength overlap weakened. Furthermore, findings help understanding chamber, be used