Hyperspectral Bitumen Content Estimation for SAGD Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for assessing bitumen content in steam-assisted gravity drainage operations are time-consuming and lack accuracy, hindering timely adjustments to steam injection rates and leading to inefficient hydrocarbon production.

Innovation Solution

The method involves injecting steam into subsurface reservoirs, producing emulsions, obtaining samples, measuring reflectance spectral data, estimating bitumen content, and adjusting steam injection based on these estimates to optimize hydrocarbon production by directing more steam to wells with higher bitumen content production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional Dean-Stark analysis is used to estimate bitumen content, then measurement accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebitumen content measurement accuracyVSAvoidtime for single sample analysis

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical Dean-Stark analysis system with an optical detection system using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. This substitution enables rapid, non-destructive measurement of bitumen content without the time-consuming mechanical separation process, achieving both high accuracy and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from physical separation (Dean-Stark) to optical absorption characteristics (NIR spectroscopy). By measuring the absorbance spectrum at specific wavelengths and using calibration models, the system achieves rapid bitumen content determination while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If steam injection rates are adjusted to optimize production, then hydrocarbon recovery efficiency is improved, but measurement and control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon production efficiencyVSAvoidsteam injection control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where NIR spectroscopy continuously monitors bitumen content in produced emulsion, and this information feeds back to automatically adjust steam injection rates. This closed-loop feedback simplifies the control complexity by using real-time data to drive automated adjustments rather than manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the production process to self-regulate by using the produced emulsion itself as the measurement medium. The NIR spectrometer directly analyzes the emulsion without requiring separate sampling or preparation, and the system automatically uses this information to adjust steam injection, making the process self-optimizing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple well-pairs are monitored individually, then production optimization accuracy is improved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewell-specific bitumen content assessmentVSAvoidmonitoring system operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal NIR spectroscopy platform that can monitor multiple well-pairs simultaneously using the same instrumentation and analysis methods. The system processes spectra from different wells through a unified calibration model, enabling individualized assessment without requiring separate monitoring systems for each well, thus maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables timely and accurate adjustments to steam injection, enhancing hydrocarbon production by prioritizing steam supply to wells with higher bitumen content, thereby optimizing overall reservoir output.

Implementation Method 1

injecting steam into a subsurface reservoir through the respective injector wells of the plurality of well-pairs; allowing the injected steam to mobilize hydrocarbon in the reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

measuring reflectance spectral data for each one of the plurality of samples; estimating bitumen content for each one of the plurality of samples based on the reflectance spectral data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflectance spectroscopy: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11624272B2Well production optimization using hyperspectral imaging

Publication Date: 2023.04.11 HUSKY OIL OPERATIONS

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided for optimizing bitumen production from a plurality of wells employing steam-based recovery techniques such as SAGD, using hyperspectral imaging of produced emulsion samples to estimate total bitumen content at each well as a means of determining steam injection adjustment to enhance production.