Simulation Calculation and Analysis of Connate Water Convection on Steam Chamber Expansion in Steam-Assisted Gravity-Drainage Process
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 149, Issue 4
Abstract
Steam-assisted-gravity-drainage (SAGD) is a widely employed method to enhance heavy oil production and efficiency, and the key to ensuring its steady operation is the maintenance of a steam chamber. Heat conduction and convection of steam to connate water are essential factors in the heat transfer process. In this paper, we developed a novel analytical model to investigate the heat transfer process on the boundary of the steam chamber, driven by the pressure difference between the injected steam and the original reservoir. Both conduction and convection are considered in this new model, and the calculated results are in good agreement with the simulated data by using CMG-STARS. After model validation, the effects of physical properties and operating conditions (relative permeability, initial water saturation, and steam temperature) on the heat transfer process are investigated. The results reveal that connate water saturation plays a large role than the steam temperature in conductive heat flux; low saturation leads to more efficient crude oil exploitation. This work provides new insights into the recovery mechanisms of a SAGD process.
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Data Availability Statement
All data and models that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Project No. 51874333 supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 149 • Issue 4 • August 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 10, 2022
Accepted: Apr 1, 2023
Published online: Jun 5, 2023
Published in print: Aug 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Nov 5, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Architectural engineering
- Building management
- Domain boundary
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Heat transfer
- Hydraulic engineering
- Hydraulic structures
- Maintenance and operation
- Mathematics
- Measurement (by type)
- Models (by type)
- Pressure vessels
- Reservoirs
- Simulation models
- Structural engineering
- Structures (by type)
- Temperature effects
- Temperature measurement
- Thermodynamics
- Water and water resources
- Water conservation
- Water management
- Water policy
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