Figure 7: Examples of complex curvilinear or radial well processes for production of oilsands reservoirs.
Mokrys, 1989) have been tested in oilsands reservoirs with little commercial success (DOVAP Pilot,
SOAK RADIAL - HAYBOB
SOAK RADIAL - TUNING FORK
2004; Encana, 2003). Key issues faced by the VAPEX pilots were the length scales for solvent mass transport and hydrate formation. For post-cold produced heavy oil reservoirs, multi-component solvent-only processes have been tested some with success (the JIVE process). Another heated solvent-only process is the N-Solv process (N-Solv Corp., 2011), which has yet to be tested in the field. Other multiple injec-
SOAK - TUNINGinvolve FORK steam and tantRADIAL processes oilsands recovery processes, the
by Nexen Inc.). In general, the results
have been done on steam and gas
air injection that can be interpreted
most tested solvents in the field are
of thermal-solvent processes in the
push (SAGP) where methane has
as wet in situ combustion processes.
butane (SAP at Senlac and Christina
field have demonstrated uplift in pro-
been added to the injected steam:
For example, CSS followed by air
Lake operated by Cenovus Energy
duction rates and reduction of the
the methane replaces some frac-
injection was done at the Margarite
Inc., and solvent-assisted CSS oper-
steam to oil ratio (although these
tion of the steam and accumulates
Lake (Hajdo et al., 1985) and Morgan
ated by Canadian Natural Resouces
results were not the case for the
at the top of the chamber, lower-
Field (Marjerrison and Fassihi, 1995)
Limited), diluent (gas condensates,
Canadian Natural and Nexen pilots).
ing heat losses with consequent
pilots. These processes appear to
LASER at Cold Lake operated by
Typically, less than five per cent sol-
reduction of the steam to oil ratio
have been technically successful;
Imperial Oil Limited) and Jet-B (jet
vent is added to the steam (on a
(Butler, 1997). Solvent-only pro-
however, they were not pursued
fuel–grade fuel, ES-SAGD operated
volumetric basis). Other field trials
cesses such as VAPEX (Butler and
for larger-scale commercial
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