Improved Management of the SAGD Steam Chamber via Inflow Control Devices
Presented by Sudiptya BanerjeeSPE Heavy Oil/Horizontal Well Special Interest GroupCalgary, AlbertaMarch 28th, 2013
Uneven Production from a Horizontal Lateral
Sections of the lateral are favored for production due to the influence of:
• Frictional pressure drop in the completion string• Variations in Kv and Kh along the wellbore• Variations in fluid composition and mobility• Non-uniform reservoir pressure along the lateral length
Flow Control Devices: The Application to SAGD
Injector Flow Equalization:
• Even steam distribution/steam chamber growth
• Higher sweep efficiency• Higher thermal efficiency• Potential for cheaper
design (longer laterals, smaller ODs)
Producer Flow Equalization:
• Supplements injection flow control
• Smaller variation in steam trap control liquid height
• Potential to choke back live steam entering the producer (autonomous flow controllers only)
Types of Flow Control DevicesFrictional Geometry
Restriction Geometry
Autonomous Geometry
∆ 𝑃=128𝜇𝐿𝑄𝜋𝑑4
∝𝜇𝑄
Big flow area, low velocity, viscosity sensitive
Small flow area, high velocity, partially viscosity insensitive
Varies; big flow area, low velocity, viscosity insensitive
Performance Characterization
Hybrid Geometry
Visualizing the Fluid Flow Path
Fluid Dynamics in the Device (Oil, 189 cP)
Fluid Dynamics in the Device (Water, 1 cP)
Case Study – SPE 153706
9
Bitumen Production
10
Cumulative Steam-Oil-Ratio (CSOR)
11
Conclusion
• Improved steam injection correlates to better thermal efficiency
• Use of autonomous flow control devices in the producer provides additional confidence in steam trap control
• Modeling critical to proper application• Questions?
