Influence of Top Water Intrusion on SAGD Production Efficiency and Prediction of Downward Channeling Rate of Top Water

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-6535.2022.02.010

Abstract

Abstract: In response to the risk of downward channeling of top water in SAGD development of oil reservoirs in Guantao Formation, Block Du84, Liaohe Oilfield, the influence of the downward channeling of top water on the SAGD development effect was studied in combination with numerical modeling and theoretical studies to discover the changes in the development degree of steam chamber, cumulative oil production, oil-steam ratio and steam chamber pressure after the steam chamber is connected to the top water zone. On the basis of numerical modeling study, a theoretical model was established for predicting the channeling rate of the top water according to the principles of multiphase fluid seepage and heat transfer in oil reservoirs. The results of the study showed that the cumulative oil production and oil-steam ratio in SAGD production were decreased significantly after the steam chamber was connected to the top water zone, and the higher the pressure of the top water zone, the greater the influence on the production effect of SAGD; the most effective method of reducing the influence of top water on the later stage of SAGD was to maintain a certain isolator thickness between the steam chamber and the top water zone; therefore, the minimum isolator thickness is recommended to be 20 m between the steam chamber and top water zone under existing operating conditions. This study provides a theoretical basis for determining the technical limits of SAGD operation in heavy oil reservoirs with top water.

Key words: heavy oil, top-water reservoir, SAGD, water invasion rate, thermal efficiency, isolator thickness

CLC Number:

TE357

Jiang Qi, Wang Zhongyuan, Gong Yuning, Zheng Aiping, Sun Hongan, Liu Jiali, He Jie, Huang Siyuan. Influence of Top Water Intrusion on SAGD Production Efficiency and Prediction of Downward Channeling Rate of Top Water[J]. Special Oil & Gas Reservoirs, 2022, 29(2): 72-76.

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