On the optimum operating temperature for steam floods

Abstract The technical, environmental and economic performances of a steam flood are partly influenced by the operating temperature (pressure). However, definition procedure for determining optimum still debatable. Employing combination analytic modelling numerical simulations, this paper investigates existence (or otherwise) an injection T opt saturated-steam floods. Considering maximization productivity thermal efficiency as objective, procedure, which explores effects on injectivity, total enthalpy, oil viscosity relative permeabilities, shows that (pressure) should not exceed 515 K (3.5 MPa). A simple closed-form expression is proposed function basic rock fluid properties. For example three-dimensional reservoir model comprising 8-m shale unit sandwiched between two sandy units each 15 m thick, simulations show sensitivity to (and effect) in range 350–450 K, but becomes increasingly insensitive band 500–650 K. It established ~500–550 when optimization objective maximize both discounted recovery cumulative oil-steam ratio. These results agree with ~501 estimated from analytical case. Therefore, based model, other considerations, it concluded steam-injection project system specific. insights gained find relevance design management floods, well steam-based processes.