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Multi-level analysis of field synergy in the displacement mechanisms of heavy oil thermal recovery

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Abstract

One of the major problems of heavy oil thermal recovery is the inadequacy of understanding the multi-field coupling displacement mechanisms to improve the oil production and extraction ratio. From the perspective of “force” and “flow” in thermodynamics, oil displacement fields are divided into three groups: destination, driving and resistance potential fields. Based on the seepage law, the compositional structure of driving and resistance potential fields has been established by making use of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. In addition, coupling indexes among driving, resistance and a combination of both potential fields can be deduced. Then, the main process of multi-level analysis of oil displacement mechanism of field synergy in the process of heavy oil thermal recovery can be put forward. A practical multi-level case study of typical hot-water flooding displacement can provide useful information and guidance to enhance the displacement process.

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Acknowledgments

The financial support of National Natural Science Foundation of China (51106020, 51051002 and 51174042), Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (20102322110002) and Youth Scholar Backbone Supporting Plan Project of Heilongjiang General Colleges and Universities (1252G005) is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Lab of Ministry of Education for Enhancing the Oil and Gas Recovery Ratio, Northeast Petroleum University, Daqing, 163318, China

    Yang Liu, Qinglin Cheng, Xuxu Wang & Xinyao Xiang

Authors
  1. Yang Liu
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  2. Qinglin Cheng
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  3. Xuxu Wang
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  4. Xinyao Xiang
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Correspondence to Qinglin Cheng.

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Liu, Y., Cheng, Q., Wang, X. et al. Multi-level analysis of field synergy in the displacement mechanisms of heavy oil thermal recovery. Acta Geotech. 9, 59–65 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-013-0219-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-013-0219-6

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