Outflow Control Devices for Thermal Hydrocarbon Recovery Conformance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal hydrocarbon recovery processes face challenges in achieving uniform conformance in production chambers, particularly in heterogeneous reservoirs, due to issues like heat sink effects from low-permeability strata and short-circuiting of injection fluids, which reduce hydrocarbon production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using outflow control devices (OCDs) strategically deployed in injection wells, with their configuration adjusted based on real-time reservoir parameter measurements to optimize fluid distribution and mitigate conformance disparities, such as hot and cold spots, by comparing parameters at different measurement points and adjusting the volume and position of mobilizing fluid outflows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thermal recovery processes are used to extract viscous hydrocarbons, then hydrocarbon mobility is improved, but conformance of production chamber growth deteriorates due to heat sink effects and short-circuiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by deploying inflow control devices at specific locations within the production well to selectively manage fluid entry from different zones. This localized control allows the system to address short-circuiting and heat sink effects in specific areas while maintaining effective heat transfer in other regions, thereby improving overall chamber conformance without sacrificing hydrocarbon mobility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the flow control device settings to modify fluid injection rates and distribution patterns. This enables real-time optimization of heat transfer efficiency and chamber growth uniformity in response to changing reservoir conditions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining mobility and achieving conformance
2Temperature
If injection fluid is used to heat hydrocarbons, then hydrocarbon viscosity is reduced, but unproductive short-circuiting occurs between injection and production wells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring production parameters and using this information to adjust inflow control device settings. This closed-loop control system detects short-circuiting conditions and responds by modifying fluid distribution, ensuring that heated hydrocarbons are effectively mobilized while minimizing energy loss through unproductive fluid pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces inflow control devices as intermediary elements between the production well and the reservoir formation. These devices act as mediators that regulate and redirect fluid flow, preventing direct short-circuiting paths while maintaining the necessary heat transfer and hydrocarbon mobilization functions
3Loss of energy
If low-permeability strata are present in the reservoir, then heat transfer to hydrocarbons is enhanced, but vertical growth of production chamber is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the production well into multiple zones with independently controlled inflow devices. This allows selective management of fluid entry from different vertical intervals, enabling the system to optimize heat transfer in low-permeability zones while maintaining vertical chamber growth through controlled fluid distribution in other zones
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 enhances the homogeneity of production chamber growth, improves steam chamber development, and increases overall hydrocarbon recovery by effectively managing fluid flows and heat transfer, even in challenging geological formations.
Implementation Method 1
heat energy is introduced by injecting a heated fluid such as steam, solvent, or a combination thereof into the reservoir by way of an injection well
Implementation Method 2
heat energy is introduced to a reservoir to lower the viscosity of hydrocarbons in situ such that they can be recovered
Implementation Method 3
Latent heat from the injection fluid is transferred to the formation to heat viscous hydrocarbons in the production chamber, which increases their mobility
Implementation Method 4
the viscous hydrocarbons are sufficiently mobilized to drain vertically under the influence of gravity toward a production well
Data Source
AI summary
Processes are provided for conformance control in the production of hydrocarbons from reservoirs, involving the distribution of mobilizing injection fluids into a formation through a number of injection fluid distribution points spaced apart along an injection well. The volume and/or position of mobilizing fluid outflows at the distribution points is adjusted based on criteria that include selected reservoir parameters measured at spatially distributed measurement points in the reservoir. An operational system is provided so that these measurements provide a proxy for recovery chamber conformance.