Geomechanical modelling of cold heavy oil production with sand

Do Wormholes Play A Role In Heavy Oil Cold Production?

The simultaneous extraction of oil and sand during the cold production of heavy oil generates high porosity channels termed “wormholes”. Wormholes grow in a 3D radial pattern within a certain layer of net pay zones, resulting in the development of a high permeability network in the reservoir, boosting oil recovery. Meanwhile, the development of wormholes causes reservoir pressure to fall below ...

Heavy Oil and Tar Sand Bitumen

A brief overview of the geology of heavy oil, bitumen and oil sand deposits

Introduction There are three major oil sand areas in Canada, all in Alberta. There is also an oil sand deposit on Melville Island in the Arctic. The three major oil sand areas are from highest to lowest volume of reserves-in-place (AEUB 2003) Athabasca, Cold Lake and Peace River oil sand areas notwithstanding that bitumen reserves are also evident in subcropping carbonate rocks in Athabasca and...

Optimal Well Placement Improves Heavy Oil Production

Compared to vertical or lowinclination wells, horizontal wells can deliver higher production rates, higher recovery factors, and more efficient use of steam in thermally enhanced recovery projects for heavy oil. However, the shallow, thin, and friable sand reservoirs in Columbia’s Girasol field present several challenges to the accurate placement of horizontal wells. Schlumberger was contracted...

Pumping Oil Sand Froth

Froth is the basis to the extraction of bitumen from oil sand. Its components include sand, bitumen, water, and air. The technology of extraction and processing is evolving toward lower temperature of operation where the volumetric content of air and viscosity of bitumen challenge pumping. To improve the efficiency of froth handling pumps it is important to adapt the technology from other indus...