SPE 107353
Recovery of Heavy Oil by Thermoelectric Stimulation With Cyclical Injection of a Liquid
Solvent, Maracaibo, Venezuela
Carlos E. Colmenares O, Edwin R. Faría Q, Sergio G. Pizzarelli, and Tomas Chavier, Petroleos de Venezuela S.A.
Copyright 2007, Society of Petroleum Engineers
This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2007 SPE Latin American and Caribbean
Petroleum Engineering Conference held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 15–18 April 2007.
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ABSTRACT
Concurrently in the West of Venezuela, they have come
proposing technicians to improve the recovery of oil weighed
through of new processes of thermal stimulation that do not
use water steam as agent of heating.
In this work it is considered the injection of hot gasoil
the reservoir and exists the thermal stimulation process´s
physical mathematical foundation, based on the several
mechanisms of heat transference as convection and
conduction, as a whole with the mechanism of transference of
matter for liquid diffusion - liquid, which one, it based in: A
Balance of calorific energy, through it is determinated
distribution of temperature in the reservoir, and the heat
losses to the adjacent formations evaluated by the model of
Marx and Langengein, besides the model of production
defined by Boberg and Lantz. A Balance of matter ruled by
Fick's Law of the diffusion oil -solvent , and the equation of
difusitivity that governs the transitory behavior of pressure
defined by Everdingen and Hurst.
The stability of the simultaneous solution of the
differential equations system is acceptable, due the founded
solutions are analytical type.
Operationally the efficiency of the stimulation and the
field practice, they will be key points that there will allow the
successful execution of the planned process, through the wells
completation with sand control filters, sensors of pressure and
temperature, besides the thermal equipments of completation
that requiere the thermal processes.
To illustrate the field application of the proposed
technology, there was selected the reservoir Bachaquero-01.
The results obtained in several running of sensibilities,
indicate that it is achieved an increase obtains in the mobility
factor of the oil at reservoir conditions of 10,5 times superior
than the original one. Giving cycles of production of
approximately 10 months, for a stimulated average rate with
hot solvent of 850 BN/day versus stimulated average day
with steam of 380 BN/day, in an arrangement of conformated
wells by two horizontal ones in parallel.
The obtained results indicate that the heat solvent
injecting technology to the formation is more favorable
alternative than the steam alternate injection process, due it
is predicted a major optimized recovery of oil by cycle.
INTRODUCTION
The use of hydrocarbons solvent liquid, as the naphtha,
kerosene, gasoil, they have been used to improve the process
of the recovery of oil for steam injection, and to been reported
and studied in a lot of works, even several processes have
been patented depending on the type of solvent used,
specifically in the injection of vapor/solvent. Allen (1976),
proposed the use of a pot-hole of mixture composed by an
aromatic hydrocarbon as solvent and a gaseous component as
dioxide of carbon, to establish a preferential way between the
well injector and the producer well , after which the oil is
moved for constant injection of warm water or steam. Best
(1979), Otherwise, he present a improved stimulation with
steam in which one the oil in the formation is submitted to
one o more steam cycles, followed of a pot-hole of mixture of
a hydrocarbon solvent before the following cycle of steam
injection.
Later, Buckley and Grist (1980) propose the injection of a
pot-hole of mixture of a distilled solvent, as tolueno or refined
oil mixed with an oil sulfonato surfactante, in order to increase
the permeability to the water in the reservoir before the
injection of the steam. In this case, the proposed solvents and
the schemes might be used in the cycles of steam injection, as
well as in any process of thermal stimulation with steam.
Islip y Shu (1984) present an invention that consists in
the injection of a given quantity of a steam and solvent with
the producer closed well. The injector well is then closed and
the producer well is opened to extract the fluids from the
formation, these stages are repeated cyclically in the time.
The use of solvent as a whole with the steam injection has
been studied by Redford (1982) in processes of displacement
2 SPE 107353
at least between a well injector and a producing well. Other
researchers have carried out researches and studies of
simulation to establish the benefits of the use of solvent in the
processes of steam injection under different modalities.
Farouq Alí y Snyder (1973) they realized an experimental
work in a two-dimensional vertical model filling the sand of
tar to study the effect of the injection of naphtha before the
steam. They thought that the solvent was effective in a way of
opening communication in the homogeneous package of sand.
Farouq Alí and Abbot (1976) studied solvent steam
coinjección and in two packages of sand not climbed. The
recovery of oil depended on the solvent type, the size of the
pot-hole and the placement of the solvent.
Doscher and collaborators (1979) presented an economic
evaluation of the process of stimulation solvent / steam where
a quantity of solvent is injected before the injection of steam,
the analysis was based on the analytical model of Boberg and
Lantz for cyclical injection of steam. They concluded that the
use of solvent, in this operational way, does not present any
economic incentive.
Shu and Hartman (1985) reported a study of simulation
with a thermal malingerer to delineate the mechanisms of
recovery of the process of displacement steam / solvent. From
this study of simulation, them they concluded that the
coinjección of solvent with steam up to 10 % of the steam
volume considerably might improve the production of heavy
oil. They also thought that the prevailing mechanism of
recovery for a process successful solvent / steam has to see
with the solvent vaporizado that travels with the steam, and
condensing in the cold region of the deposit. The solvent
condensed at the time is mixed by the oil, reduciéndoce the
viscosity of the same one and creates a zone of transition
between the heavy oil and the steam.
Later, Oracheski and collaborators (1989) they discussed
the results of an experimental work, using a model climbed to
investigate the flow of solvent / steam treated in water
conditions of bottom. They concluded that the process exhibits
a capacity of recovery improved of oil compared with the flow
of conventional steam.
Bracho and collaborators (1989) presented the results of a
pilot test of cyclical injection of steam with solvent. Initially
the results indicated an increase in the production of oil about
170 % with regard to the production of nearby wells. In
another study led by Bruzual (1990), in which it realized
experiments of unidirectional displacement in packages of
sand using heavy oil of the strip of the Orinoco and using
gasoil manufacturer as solvent, he thought that the saturation
of residual oil decreases when this solvent is used by steam,
and that the coinjección with solvent improved the
inyectividad in the package of sand before treated, and in
addition it produces the deposition of asfáltenos inside the
package.
The fundamental lens of this work is termoeléctrically
presents a theoretical study - practically of the recovery of
heavy oil by means of the injection of a heated solvent at the
botom hold of the well injector - estimulador, without the
steam injection, carried out in a cyclical process. Different
mechanisms of transfer of heat and of matter they are analyzed
by an analytical model developed in this work, to explain the
field functioning of the process, as the reported for Rivas
(1991) in the 5ta. International conference On Heavy Oil and
Sands Impregnated with Bitumen. Volume 3. Processes of
Recovery.
ANALYSIS OF THE PROCESS
THERMOELECTRIC STIMULATION FOR
INJECTION OF A LIQUID SOLVENT
The low mobility of the ones heavy oils due to his high
viscosity does that the rate of production of oil in the
producting wells is low, on the other hand when the deposits
are to high depths the steam injection is not completely
efficient regarding the stimulation of this type of crude oil, due
to the high losses of heat towards the surroundings across the
string injection in the hole of the well injector.
Another disadvantage is the resaturation of the porous way
for the water formed at the expense of the condensation of the
steam in liquid water in the producting sand. Apart from the
high cost that there represents the infrastructure and daily
generation of the tons of steam needed by cycle of injection.
In order to manage to stimulate térmicamente the oil, to
increase his mobility, and not to alter the properties
petrofísicals of the porous way, one proposes the use of a
thermal process for diffusion liquid - liquid across the
injection of a solvent (gasoil), heated termoeléctricamente, by
means of the use of an interchanger of tubular heat installed at
the bottom hold of the well injector, in an arrangement of two
horizontal wells in parallel, as the presented in the figure- 1.
MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE
THERMOELECTRIC PROPOSED PROCESS
CONFIGURATION OF THE ZONES IN THE
RESERVOIR AFTER INITIATED THE
INJECTION OF THE SOLVENT
When liquidate a heating fluid like a solvent, it is injected
to the producting formation, part of his caloric content is
transferred to the rock counterfoil and to the fluids stored in
the same one, principally for two mechanisms of heat
transference, since it it are convection and conduction, to part
of the heat lost towards the adjacent formations to the
producting sand.
In case of a deposit that contains heavy oil, the warm injected
solvent, oil, water will displease partially connata and part of
free gas if the crude oil is saturated to the pressure of the
reservoir. Thus the heat dedicated to the formation will allow
the decrease of the viscosity and density of the oil, increasing
this way his mobility. The heat transference towards the
adjacent formations is for conduction and flow of fluids does
not exist.
The result of the previous mechanisms is that the
heat front will travel slower than the front from the injected
fluid, nevertheless to simplify the process of injection with
diffusion of the solvent in the phase oil, there will be assumed
that both the front of diffusion and the front of temperature
will travel inside the formation to the same speed, What
allows to obtain a stimulated area homogeneous mas,
regarding the position of the fronts of injection and warming,
SPE 107353
as one shows in the figure- 2, that idealizes two adjacent zones
inside the sand about the well injector - estimulator.
(°F)
Rd
Rf
rw
D
F Figure- 3. Profile of temperature inside the resorvoir.
Figure-2. Configuration of both zones about the well injector -
estimulator, after initiated the process.
In this configuration the following zones are identified:
D: Zone of diffusion solvent - oil, ft2.
F: Zone of cold oil, ft2.
Rw: Radius of the well, ft.
Rd: Radius of the zone of diffusion solvent - oil, ft.
Rf: Radius of the zone of cold oil, ft.
The warm solvent (gasoil) that one injects to the formation
across the well injector, experiences a temperature drop in
order to transfer his heat sensitive to the rock and to the fluids
of the producting formation, and this one spreads in the phase
oil to the conditions of the reservoir.
This will represent an advantage with regard to the steam
injection, as,like the porous way is not re-saturated by water,
practically there were altered neither the properties of porosity
nor permeability of the reservoir. Thus one will not present the
problem of competition in the producting formation, as for the
relative permeabilities Krw and Kro. Being like that the
absolute permeability of the formation always available to the
permeability relative to the oil.
What in turn favors the method of Boberg's prediction and
Lantz, who thinks that between cycle and cycle the porous
way has to be the sufficiently saturated with oil.
The distribution of temperature in the formation will come
represented by a profile staggered type as one presents in the
figure 3.
3
T
Ts
i
T
r(ft)
During the injection of the warm solvent (gasoil), there is
delivered heat sensitive to the rock and fluids of the reservoir,
and later in the period of stimulation for conduction, the
viscosity of the oil diminishes about the well injector and
inside the injected zone, happening thermal expansion of the
oil and water connata, which will represent an additional
mechanism of production.
ANALYSIS OF THE DIFFUSED SOLVENT
ZONE
Solution of the Equation of Continuity
To determine the extension of the area affected by the
injection of the solvent due to the diffusion, it proposed to
rewrite the equation of continuity for the solvent in this zone,
together with Fick's Law of the diffusion. Considering the
relative speed of the front of the solvent, and that the
movement of the solvent in this zone is only due to the process
of diffusion of the solvent in the phase oil, which in
cylindrical coordinates (r, Θ, z, t) will come given by the
following differential equation:
∂C S ∂ 2 C S 2 ∂C S
(1) = ϑ so +
∂t ∂r 2 r ∂r
Where, Cs: it is the concentration of the solvent in the
phase oil to a radius inside the reservoir and to a given time.
Here, ϑso It is the coefficient of diffusion of the solvent
(gasoil) in the phase oil. The concentration of the solvent in
the well injector (r = rw) can be considered to be the density ρs
of the same one to conditions of reservoir, for what the
conditions: initial and of border they will be.
CS (r, 0) = 0, ∀ r > 0
CS (rw, t) = ρS, ∀ t > 0
CS (rmd, t) = 0, ∀ t > 0
The speed of the front of diffusion of solvent, it will be
defined depending on the time, and represented by a speed
average given for:
4 SPE 107353

0.447 φ q si Therefore, the maximum radius of diffusion will

ν ps = correspond to the radius of the warmed area, for a certain time
Lh rmd of injection of the warm solvent and it will name a maximum
radius of diffusion, that is to say rmd, that depends on the
Defining now the following equivalent variables: function ψ(β) as one illustrates in the figure- 4.

ϑ SO r C S (r , t )
[ ( R, τ ) = Ψ(β)
C Si V ps3

r − rw
R (r ) =
ν PS

ϑ SO
τ= t
ν PS
2
0
β
Rewriting the differential equation (1) in terms of the new Figure- 4. Behavior of the function β.
equivalent variables, it is had:
Since it can turn in the figure - 4, the quantity of solvent that
spreads in the phase oil to a time (t) is proportional to the area
∂[ ∂2[ under the curve, that is to say:
(2) =
∂τ ∂ R 2
∞

With the conditions: initial and of border: S t = 2πφ S oc ∫C

rw
s rdr

[ (R, 0) = 0
[ (0, τ) = τ Where: Soc. is the saturation of oil in the cold zone. This way
[ (Rmd, τ) = 0 there be had that:

Applying transformed of Laplace to the differential C s r = ρ s rw ψ ( β ) y dr = 2 ϑ so t dβ

equation (2), it turns out to be a general solution, which will
come given for: Therefore,

(3) ⊂ ( R, S ) = c1 e SR
+ c2 e − S R ∞
S t = 4 π Lh φ ρ s rw ϑ so t ∫ψ ( β ) dβ
Evaluating the constants of integration c1 and c2, and 0
inverting the changes of variables, it is obtained:
From the equation (5) it is possible to obtain on having
1 taken limits of integration and resolving, the following result:
(4) Cs (r , t ) = ψ ( β ) ρ s rw
r ∞
2
Where: ∫ψ (β ) dβ ≅ 3
0 π
≅ 0.376

The function Ψ(β), it comes given for:

The whole of solvent that spreads in the phase oil will
2 2
(5) ψ ( β ) = (1 + 2 β 2 ) erfc ( β ) − β e −β come given by the equation (6).
π
8
In this case the argument (β) of the complementary (6) S t = π Lh φ So rw ϑ so t ρ s
function of error, it comes given by the following equation:
3
To determine the radius of the zone of diffusion, it takes
r − rw the fact that for β=1, The area under the curve presented in the
β=
t figure- 4, will have a value of 0.362, so that it will be had.
2 ϑ so
24
SPE 107353 5

1
8 ρS 1
XS =
∫ ψ ( β ) dβ 0.362
(11)
12 π ρ os ⎡ ϑ so t / 24 ⎤
= =1 ⎢1 +
0
∞ 2 ⎥
0.376 ⎢⎣ rmd ⎥⎦
∫ ψ ( β ) dβ
0 If, S t ≥ M Si

This means that more than 96 % of the whole of solvent M Si

that spreads in the phase oil can be found between rw and the (12) XS =
value of r for which β=1. Therefore, if the zone defines about VS ρ of
the well injector in rw and the front of diffusion of the solvent,
that is to say to the radius to which β=1, One will find ANALYSIS OF THE PRODUCTION
practically the whole solvent that it spreads, that is to say:
PERFORMANCE
The equations previously described, térmicamente allow to
r − rw
β= =1 determine the size of the stimulated zones and of diffusion
t respectively, to happened that passes the time up to reaching
2 ϑ so the end of the cycle of injection. Also there decide the
24 thermodynamic properties of the cold oil, the solvent, the
solvent mixture / oil, of the gas of formation and of the water
Wherefrom it is obtained: connata in the different zones, which depend on the conditions
that prevail in the reservoir, such like: the temperature of
(7) rmd = rw + 2 ϑ so t / 24 stimulation, temperature of the deposit, pressure of injection
of the solvent, static pressure of the sand, concentration of the
solvent. Following is described the procedure of calculation to
The concentration of the solvent in the zone of solvent was predict the future behavior of the production of oil. One you
considered to be the density of the same one to conditions of see the injection initiated, using the equation of diffusion of
reservoir, that is to say: the solvent in the phase oil, there is assumed to simplify the
complexity of the problem, that the heot radius is equal to the
(8) Cs = ρ s radius of the front of diffusion, this for every time t> 0. It is to
say there is calculated the maximum radius of the front of
The fraction in weight of the solvent, XS in the zone of diffusion rmd for every passage of time. Then it is calculated
diffusion will be given by the following equation: for these intervals of time of injection the time adimensional
of injection, given by the model of Marx and Langenheim.
St 4 K hob M ob t
(9) XS = (12) t D =
VS ρ of M y2 L2h
Where:
Where:
tD = Time, adimensional.
ρof, density of the cold oil and VS is the volume of oil in the Khob = Thermal conductivity of the adjacent formations,
zone of diffusion, and comes given by the following Btu/hr ft °F.
expression: Mob = Calorific capacity of the adjacent formations, Btu/ft3 °F.
My = Calorific capacity of the producting formation,
(
Vs = π rmd
2
)
− π rw2 Lh φ S of Btu/ ft3 °F.
t = Time, hours.
Lh = Horizontal stimulated length, ft.
Replacing the equation (9), it is had:
It is calculated for every level of time, the transitory
4 π Lh φ S of ϑ so t ⎡ rmd ⎤ function of Marx and Langenheim, FML It comes given for:
(10) VS = ⎢ + 1⎥
24 ⎣⎢ ϑ so t / 24 ⎥⎦ tD
FML = et D erfc ( t D ) + 2 −1
π
Then on having replaced the equations (6), (8) and (10) in the
equation (9) it is obtained:
A temperature calculates initial average for the
calculations, given for:
If, S t ≤ M Si
6 SPE 107353

(Tsi + T y ) solvent diffusion - oil rdm. Being the viscosity of the oil in this
(14) T prom c = zone, μof viscosity of the cold oil to the original temperature of
2 the reservoir.
This way, considering conditions of radial flow and taking
With the Taverg. calculated before, the viscosity of the oil the thickness as the horizontal length of the well injector, there
is calculated now in the zone cold and stimulated respectively. is calculated the rate of flow of oil, which will come given for:
That is to say, with the current temperature of the reservoir,
the viscosity of the crude oil is calculated in the not stimulated
zone (μof), according to Kartoatmodjo, for heavy oils this one 7.081 Lh k (Prmd − Pwf )
comes given for: (18) q of =
⎛r ⎞
μ of ln⎜⎜ md ⎟⎟
(15) μ of = − 0.6311 + 1.078 x F − 0.003653 x F 2
⎝ rw ⎠
Where:
The second zone of flow is that of solvent diffusion - oil,
(
F = 0.2478 + 0.6114 x 10 (−0.000845 Rs ) x ) which there is between the radial distance rmd and the radius of

(
μod 0.43 + 0.5165 10(−0.00081 Rs ) ) the well injector - estimulator rws, in which the viscosity will
be that of the solvent - oil mixture, μm, evaluated to the
temperature imediate. And there is calculated the rate of flow
Being: of the mixture diluted, given for:

μod = 16 x 108 x T − 2.8177 [log (° API )](5.7526 log (T ) − 26.9718)

7.081 Lh k ( Ps − Prmd )
(19) q so =
For the zone of diffusion, there is evaluated the viscosity ⎛ r ⎞
of the oil and of the solvent (gasoil) to the Taverag, with the μ m ln⎜⎜ s ⎟⎟
fraction in weight of the solvent there is evaluated the ⎝ rmd ⎠
licuicidad of the solvent mixtur - oil, given for:
Supposing that the whole solvent injected to the reservoir
(16) Lm = (1 − Xs) Lo + Xs Ls to the pressure of injection piny, spreads in the phase oil, on
having applied the principle of conductivity in series, the rate
of oil is calculated stimulated qoe, depending on time, and
Where:
comes given for:
Lo and Ls are: the licuicidades of the oil and solvent
respectively and they come given for.
7.081 Lh k ( Piny − Pwf )
(20) q oe =
For the oil: ⎛r ⎞ ⎛ r ⎞
μ of ln⎜⎜ md ⎟⎟ + μ m ln⎜⎜ s ⎟⎟
2995.75 ⎝ rw ⎠ ⎝ rmd ⎠
Lo =
Ln μ o + 7.6009
Are calculated. qr and qz respectively.
For the solvent:
qr = Density of heat flow for conduction in the radial direction,
2995.75 and it comes given by the equation (21).
Ls =
Ln μ s + 7.6009 q r = 0.180304 + 0.41269 α r + 0.18217 α r2 + 0.149516 α r3 + 0.024183 α r4

Then the viscosity of the mixture μm can be (21)

calculated by means of the following equation:
Here:
⎛ 2995.75 ⎞
⎜ − 7.6009 ⎟ ⎛ K hob Tiny ⎞
(17) μ m = exp ⎝ Lm ⎠
α r = log ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟
⎟
⎝ M ob rcal ⎠
Considering the model of Boberg and Lantz. Supposing
that radial flow happens across the radial system consisted of qz = Density of heat flow for conduction in the radial direction,
both zones of flow in series. and it comes given by the equation (22).
The first zone of flow spreads from the radius of the
producting well rw, up to the radius of the front of the zone of
SPE 107353 7

q z = 0.474884 - 0.56832 α r - 0.239719 α r2 − 0.035737 α r3 rmd = Radius of the heated area, ft.
Tpromc = Average temperature in the arrangement, °F.
(22) Hfp = Total rate of heat removed by the fluids produced in
Here: Btu/día, and it comes given for:

⎛ 4 K hob Tiny ⎞ H fp = qoest H og + qwest H w

α z = log ⎜⎜ 2
⎟
⎟
(27)
⎝ ob aum ⎠
M L
Being:
Being:
qoe = Rate of oil stimulated, BN/día.
Laum = Horizontal length increased of the well estimulador for qwe = Water rate of produced formation,BN/día.
heating, ft, and it comes given for: Hog = Heat removed by the oil and the gas, Btu/BN.
Hw = Heat removed by the water of formation, Btu/BN.
Lh t D
(23) Laum = Now one proceeds to calculate again the average
FML temperature Tpromc. in the arrangement.

Is calculated the heat removed by the oil and the gas of

formation, which comes given for: [
(28) T prom c = T y + (Tsi + T y ) q r q z (1 − δ fp ) − δ fp ]
(24) H og = (5.615 ρ o Cp o + RGP Cp g ) (T promc − T y ) notices: since δfp depends on the Tpromc, the equation of
this temperature must be solved in form iterative, the Tpromc
Here, the density of the oil, ρo en Lb/ft3, And it comes is calculated and is compared with previously supposed.
given for:
33287592 If: Tpromc> Ty, does the Tpromc. = Ty. And the
ρo = calculations repeat themselves.
(131.5 + ° API ) (3634 + T promc + T y ) To illustrate the application of the theory of the process
proposed in this work, there was selected the reservoir located
The specific heat of the oil, Cpo en Btu/Lb °F, And it to the south of Lagunillas's city in the Oriental Coast of the
comes given for: Lake of Maracaibo. Venezuela, of area approximately 36.7
mi2 in the Lake and 46.3 mi2 located eastward in land, as one
presents in the figure- 5.
⎡ ⎛ Tpromc + Ty ⎞⎤
⎢0.388 + 0.00045 ⎜ 2
⎟⎥ The column estratigráfica of age Mioceno contains three
⎣ ⎝ ⎠⎦ formations: The Rose, Lagunillas and Isnotú. The formation
Cp o = Lagunillas is divided in three members: Lagunillas Inferior,
141.5 Lagoon, and Bachaquero, from the deepest to the most
131.5 + ° API shallow. The member Bachaquero consists principally of
fluvial environment that alternate with sands of environment
of flood. This member is subdivided in nine intervals: AA,
Is calculated the heat removed by the water produced of the
BB, CC, DD, EE, FF, GG, HH, and AP (Principal of Sand),
formation, which comes given for:
from the deepest to the most shallow. There were selected the
horizontal wells perforated and completed in the interval AP,
(25) H w = 5.615 ρ w RAP Cpw the least deep sandstone, as one presents in the figure- 6.
Where the column appears estratigráfica standard of age
The calorific capacity of the producing formation comes given Mioceno.
for: Characteristics petrofísicals of the rock and of the reservoir. It
arranges of the following byline of field:
M fp = (1 − φ ) ρ r Cpr + φ ( Soa ρ o C po + S wa ρ w Cpw )
• Pressure average: 860 Lpc
• Net thickness of sand: 70 a 127 ft
Is calculated the heat removed by the produced fluids, which
• Gradient of fracture: 0.60 Lpc/ft
comes given for:
• Saturation of oil: 77 % a 84%
• Gravity of the oil: 12 ºAPI
1 1 H fp
(26) δ fp = ∫
2 0 π rmd Laum M fp (Tsi − T y )
2
dt •
•
Permeability:
Porosity:
600 a 2000 md
28 % a 32 %
• Fraction molar of H2S: 0.0025 %
• Fraction molar of CO2: 0.0348 %
Where:
• Fraction molar of N2: 0.00311 %
8 SPE 107353

• Water saturation: 23 % a 16 % stabilization of the rate of production of oil derived from the
• Initial pressure: 140w0 psi maintenance of the pressure and of the thermal stimulation in
• Buble pressure: 1319 psi the proposed arrangement, being these values of rate of
• Shale: 22 % production very favorable to the process of the raised
• Gravity specifies of the gas: 0.72 technology.
• khob: 0.9743 Btu/hr ft°F In the table - 2, appear the results of the rate of production
of oil in the second stage of the process, after taking being
• Mob: 31.6 Btu/ft3 °F
produced the irruption of the front of solvent in the producting
• Heat específ. of rock: 0.1917 Btu/Lb °F
well. In the figure- 8, it appears since there declines the rate of
• Rock density: 166 Lb/ft3
production of oil once irrumpe the front of solvent in the
• Temperature reservoir: 128 °F producting well as,like it was of esperarce in this case.
• Water saturation irreducible: 16 %
• Saturation of actual water: 20 %
• Saturation of actual oil: 75 % CONCLUSIONS
• Saturation of actual gas: 5%
• Depth well injector: 2526 ft On the base of the results obtained in the field bullfights
• Radius of the well injector: 0.5104 ft realized, the following conclusions can be done:
• Length horiz. well injector: 1000 ft
• Diameter of the hole well injector: 6.125 In • With this work it is had it developed of an analytical
• Rate production of oil: 240 BN/día model to predict the functioning of the cyclical
• Rate total production of gas: 219000 ft3/día process of the injection of a hot solvent to a deposit of
• Pressure of bottom fluyente: 350 psi heavy oil, which wants to be stimulated térmicamente.
• Pressure of injec. of the solvent: 1394 psi The model was used to predict the future behavior of
• Rate of injection of solvent: 1100 BN/día the production of oil, in a test it pilots of injection of
• Radius of the producting well: 0.5104 ft gasoil as solvent, realized in the reservoir Bachaquero-
• Length horz. producting well: 1000 ft 01 of the District Tía Juana on the Coast Bolivar in the
• Depth producting well: 2486 ft Lake of Maracaibo, located in the west of Venezuela.
• The results indicate that there is obtained the
Equipment of completación mechanics of the wells in the formation of a zone of diffusion, due to the diffusion
arrangement it sufficiently rapid of the solvent in the phase oil,
The type of completación mechanics used for the wells of and a bank of cold oil, observándoce an increase in
the arrangement is the one that appears in the figure- 1, and the rate of production in the first stage before taking
the detail of the equipment of the thermal completación in the being produced the irruption of the front of solvent in
above mentioned wells proposed for this project, is illustrated the producting well, which is kept stable until the end
in the figure- 7. of the above mentioned stage. Later the rate of
The equipments to installing in the wells, are: production of oil declines softly in the second stage
• Bull-plug, 3 1/2 in., Butt of production later that irrumpe the front of solvent in
• One dual prepacked screen, 3 1/2-in., Butt, N-80 the producting well.
• One O-ring seal sub con ID of 2.400 in., 3 1/2-in., • The model proposed in this work, appears
Butt representatively enough of the process of thermal
recovery of heavy oil, since the area in the stimulated
• 32 dual prepacked screens, 3 1/2-in., Butt, N-80
sand stretches to resaturarce with the original present
• 10 to 14 blank pipes, 3 1/2-in., N-80
fluids in the cycle of previous injection, which favors
• One expansion joint, longitud total de 12 pies con 5 the application of the method of Boberg and Lantz.
pies de golpe, fijado en 90,000 Lb
• The use of the equations developed in this work, they
• Hydraulic liner hanger with gravel-pack extension allow to optimize the quantity of solvent to there be
• Washpipe, 2 3/8 in., Hyd-511; relación de OD injected into cyclical operations of solvent into wells
washpipe / ID pantalla, 0.79. La relación of heavy oil in Venezuela, which will be the lens of a
recomendada entre washpipe OD y la pantalla ID, es following publication.
0.8.

RESULTS OF THE FUTURE BEHAVIOR NOMENCLATURE

A Área, ft2.
PRODUCTION °API Gravity of the oil, adimensional.
Bo Factor volumétric of the oil, BY/BN.
In the table- 1, are present the results of the rate of Cp Specific heat, Btu / lb °F.
production of oil in the first stage of the process, before taking Cpr Specific heat of the rock, Btu / lb °F.
being produced the irruption of the front of solvent in the Cs Concentration of the solvent in the phase
producting well. The above mentioned behavior is indicated in Oil, lb / ft3.
the figure- 8, where is observed an increase and later
SPE 107353 9

erf(x) Function error. λo Mobility of the oil, darcy / cps.

erfc(x) Function error Complementary. δ Heat losses with the produced fluids,
Gf Gradient of fracture, lpc / ft. adimensional.
hc Coefficient of heat transference for νo Cinematic viscosity of the oil, Cst.
convection, Btu / hr ft2 °F.
hn Net thickness of the sand, ft. Subscripts
ht Total thickness of the sand, ft. prom.. Average.
Hto Total heat of stimulation, Btu / hr.
K Absolute permeability, md.
khob Thermal conductivity of the adjacent
REFERENCES
formations, Btu / hr ft °F. 1. Encarta, G.J., Randall, S.D. and Vivas, H.J.: “Heavy Oil
khy Thermal conductivity of the sand Well Completion used in Bolívar Coast Land Fields
producer, Btu / hr ft °F. Venezuela,” presented at 1967 World Petroleum
Lh Horizontal length of the well, ft. Congress, México, Apr. 1967.
Lo Licuicity of the oil, fraction. 2. Holbrook, P.W. and Moretti, J.: “Reservoir Geology of
Ls Licuicity of the solvent, fraction. the Bachaquero-01 Reservoir, Bolívar Coastal Field, Lake
LV Vertical distance between the wells, ft. Maracaibo, Venezuela” 1981.
m Mass, lb. 3. Farouq Alí, S. M, and Meldau, R F.: “Practical Heavy Oil
Mob Calorific capacity of the formations Well Recovery Course,” University of Alberta, Canada,
Adjacents, Btu / ft3 °F. 1987.
My Calorific capacity of the formation 4. Marx, J. W, and Langenheim, R H.: “Reservoir Heating
producer , Btu / pie3 °F. by Hot Fluid Injection,” Trans. AIME 216: 312-5, 1959.
p Pressure, lpc. 5. Boberg, T. C, and Lantz, R B.: “Calculation of the
pb Buble Pressure, lpc. Production Rate of a Thermally Stimulated Well,” J. Pet.
Pfr Pressure of fracture of the rock, lpc. Tech., Dec. 1966, pp. 1613-1623.
Pis Pressure of injection of the solvent, lpc. 6. Van Poolen, H. K, and Associated.: “Fundamentals of
Pwf Pressure of the producting well, lpc. Enhanced Oil Recovery,” PenWell Publishing Company,
qof Rate of production of cold oil, BN/día. Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1981.
qoe Rate of production of stimulated oil, BN/día. 7. Prats, Michael, Shell Development Co. And INTEVEP
qsi Rate of injection of the solvent, BN / día. S.A..: “Thermal Recovery,” The American Institute of
qw Rate of water production, BN/día. Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers Inc.,
Rd Radius of the zone solvent diffusion - oil, ft. 1982.
Rf Radius of the zone of cold oil, ft. 8. Bleakley, W. B., “Unique Electrothermic Recovery
Rs Solubility of the gas in the oil, PCN/BN. Method Gets Rocky Mountain Test,” Oil and Gas Journal,
rmd Maximum radius of diffusion, ft. (Dec. 1969), 162-163.
rw Radius of the well, ft. 9. El-Feky, S.A.: “Theoretical and Experimental
Soc Saturation of oil in the cold zone, %. Investigation of Recovery by the Electrothermic
Soa Saturation of current oil, %. Technique,” Ph.D. dissertation, U. Of Missouri, Rolla
Swa Saturation of current water, %. (1977).
t Time, hr. 10. Wattenbarger, R.A. and McDougal, F.W.: “Oil
Tsi Temperature of the injected solvent, °F. Production Response to In-Situ Electrical Heating
Tprom. Average temperature, °F. (ERH),” J. Cdn. Pet. Tech. (Nov.-Dec.1988) 45-50.
Tpromc. Average temperature calculated, °F. 11. Wattenbarger, R.A. and McDougal, F.W.: “Oil
Ty Temperature of the reservoir, °F. Production Response to In-Situ Electrical Heating
tD Time, adimensional. (ERH),” J. Cdn. Pet. Tech. (Nov.-Dec.1988) 45-50.
XS Fraction in weight of the solvent, fraction. 12. Harvey, A.H. and Arnold, M.D.: “A radial model for
Xo Fraction in weight of the oil, fraction. estimating heat distribution in selective reservoir
heating,” J. Cdn. Pet. Tech. (Oct.-Dec.1980).
νps Speed of the front of diffusion of solvent,
13. Baylor, B.A., Maggard, J.B. and Wattenbarger, R.A.:
ft/día.
“Improved Calculation of Oil Production Response to
ϑso Coefficient of diffusion of the solvent in the
Electrical Resistance Heating (ERH),” paper SPE 20482
Phase oil, ft2/dia.
proceedings of the 1990 SPE Annual Technical
ϕ Porosity, %. Conference and Exhibitionn of the Society of Petroleum
ρof Density of the cold oil, lb / ft3. Engineers held in New Orleans, L.A, Sep. 23-26.
ρr Density of the rock, lb / ft3. 14. Glandt, C.A. and Hsu, C-F.: “Electric Preheating in Low-
ρs Density of the solvent, lb / ft3. Injeetivity Tar Sand Deposits”. SPE/DOE 24165
μo Viscosity of the oil, Cps. presented at the Eight Symposium on Enhanced Oil
μs Viscosity of the solvent, Cps. Recovery held in Tulsa, April 22-24, 1992.
μm Viscosity mixes solvent - oil, Cps.
α Thermal Difusivity, ft2/hr.
10 SPE 107353

15. Towson, D.E.: “The Electric Preheat Recovery Process ”,

The Future of Heavy Crudes and Tar Sands, McGraw Hill
Inc., New York (1981) 410-412.
16. Gill, W.: “The Electrothermic System for Enhanced Oil
Recovery,” The Future of Heavy Crudes and Tar Sands,
McGraw Hill Inc., New York (1981) 469-473.
17. Broz, J.S., Savery, W.T., Bridges, J.E., and Sresty, G.C.,
“Results from a Preliminary Feasibility Study of
Electromagnetic Hot Water Flooding for Tar Sands
Heavy Oils,” The Third UNITAR/UNDP International
Conference on Heavy Crude and Tar Sands, AOSTRA
Publishing, Canada (July 22-31, 1985), 837-845.
18. Schild, A.: “A Theory for the Effect of Heating Oil
Producing Wells.” Petroleum Transactions, AIME, Vol
210, 1957.
19. Udell, K.S., “Thermally Enhanced removal of liquid
hydrocarbon contaminants from soil and groundwater”,
Subsurface Restoration, C.H. Ward, J.A. Cherry and M.R.
Scalf, eds. Ann. Arbor PRESS, Inc., Chelsea, MI, pp 251-
271, 1997.
20. Orlando, R. Rivas.: “A Theoretical Analysis of the
Mechanisms Associated to Steam with Solvent Injection
Processes,” The 5TH UNITAR International Conference
on Heavy Crude and Tar Sands, Venezuela,1991.
21. Stroemich, C.P., F.E. Vermuelen, F.S. Chute, and
Sumbar, “Wellbore Power Transmission for In-Situ
Electrical Heating,” AOSTRA Journal of Research, 6
(1990), 273.
22. Farouq Alí, S. M.: “Well Stimulation by Downhole
Thermal Methods,” Pet. Eng. (Oct. 1973) 25-35.
23. Nelson, T.W. and McNiel, J.S. Jr.: “Oil Recovery by
Thermal Methods,” Part. I, Pet. Eng. (Feb. 1959) 27-32.

Metric factors of conversion:

bbl x 1.589873E-01 = m3
ºF : (ºF-32)1.8E+00 = ºC
ft x 3.048E-01 =m
gal x 3.785412E-03 = m3
in x 2.54E-02 = cm
lb x 4.535924E-01 = kg
lb/ft x 1.488164E+00 = kg/m
lb/gal x 1.19826E+02 = kg/m3
md x 9.869233E-04 = μm2
mi2 x 2.589998E+06 = m2
psi x 6.894757E+03 = Pa
Btu x 2.519957E+002 = cal
lb/h x 1.259979E-004 = kg/s
ft2/h x 9.290304E-003 = cm2/h
Btu/h ft °F x 4.13379E-003 = cal/s cm °C
Btu/h ft2 °F x 1.35714E-003 = cal/s cm °C

Constants:
Acceleration of standard gravity = g = 32.2 ft/s2
Standard atmosphere = pa = 14.6959 lb/in2
Factor of conversion = gc = 32.2 lb ft/lbf s2
SPE 107353 11

Table- 1. Results of the stage before the irruption.

STAGE II STAGE II (cont.)

STAGE I STAGE I (cont.) t (día) qo (BN/dia) t (día) qo (BN/dia)

t (día) qo (BN/dia) t (día) qo (BN/dia)

231 1241 336 565
234 1213 339 552
0 220 112 1233 237 1186 342 540
1 240 117 1235
2 270 122 1236 240 1160 345 528
7 363 127 1237 243 1134 348 516
12 465 132 1237 246 1109 351 505
17 570 137 1237 249 1084 354 493
22 670 142 1237 252 1060 357 482
27 752 147 1238 255 1037 360 472
32 830 152 1238 258 1013 363 461
37 898 157 1238 261 991 366 451
42 955 162 1239 264 969 369 441
47 1006 167 1239 267 947 372 431
52 1056 172 1239 270 926 375 421
57 1093 177 1239 273 906 378 412
62 1120 182 1239 276 885 381 403
67 1145 187 1240 279 866 384 394
72 1167 192 1240 282 847 387 385
77 1185 197 1240 285 828 390 377
82 1203 202 1240 288 809 393 368
87 1215 207 1240 291 791 396 360
92 1221 212 1240 294 774 399 352
97 1225 217 1241 297 756 402 344
102 1228 222 1241 300 740 405 337
107 1230 227 1241 303 723 408 329
306 707 411 322
309 691 414 315
312 676 417 308
315 661 420 301
318 646 423 294
321 632 426 287
324 618 429 281
327 604 432 275
330 591 435 269
333 577

Table- 2. Results of the stage after the irruption.

12 SPE 107353

Figure- 1. Arrangement of horizontal wells for the process of stimulation.

SPE 107353 13

Maracaibo

L AKE
MARACAIBO

Figure- 5. Map of geographical location of the reservoir Bachaquero-01.

14 SPE 107353

Figure- 6. Column estratigráfica of the Mioceno.

Stratigraphic Column Miocene

GAMMA RESISTIVITY

FM. ISNOTU
Mainly composed of clays (65%), RAY
alternated sandstones, overlying
laminar
clay, coal and conglomerate layers
H
ZONE TOP

BACH
Objecti MAIN
ve SAND
Interva
l
H
H
BA
Clay sandstone between 120’- CH
20’, HH
Gray or brown, with light gray,
G

MBRO BACHAQUERO
blue or spotty clay. Gray to bluish
G BA
gray and lignites.
CH
GG
F BA
F CH
E FF
E BACH

LAGUNILLAS FORMATION
D EE
D BACH
C DD
C
BACH
CC
B
BACH
B
A BB
A BACH
AA

Fossiliferous gray shales, in

L
MRBO LAGUNA

addition
to gray or brown sandstones, g
locally glauconitic, and spotty
sandy clays. L
g
L
g
L
g
Friable sandstone, fine grained,
brown, light gray and white, L
MBRO. LAG

alternating with light gray, greenish L

INFERIOR

gray or dark gray shales.

L
L

L
L
Unconsolidated clay sandstone, gray
FORMACION LA

L
to brown, greenish gray to light green R
ROSA

shales, fossils within laminations L

R
EOCEN
E
SPE 107353 15

Niple “X”
Nipple 'X'
2.813 in. Casing
9-5/8 in.

Gas Lift
Mandrel
Expansion
Joint 20 ft
stroke
Hydraulic
Packer @ 46O Bull Plug
Expansion Joint 5 ft stroke

Niple 'X'
Nipple “X”
2.75 in.

Casing 7 in. 3-1/2 in. Prepacked 20-40, dual screens, 0.012 in. O-ring Seal
@ 82O Sub

Figure- 7. Detail of the mechanical completación of the producting well used in the arrangement.
16 SPE 107353

2000

1500
qo (BN/dia)

1000

500

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
t (día)

Figure- 8. Behavior of production in the Stages I and the II, before and after the irruption.