Title: Efficiency evaluation of superheated SAGD based on a new energy efficiency model

Authors: Aiping Zheng; Ke Huang; Huan Liu; Hongfei Chen; Liming Jiang; Hongyuan Zhang; Yanchong Meng; Xiangjin Liang; Pan Wang; Wulin Xiao

Addresses: Heavy Oil Development Sub-Company of Xinjiang Oilfield Branch Company, Petro China, Karamay, Xinjiang 834000, China ' Petroleum Engineering Department, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu Sichuan 621050, China ' Heavy Oil Development Sub-Company of Xinjiang Oilfield Branch Company, Petro China, Karamay, Xinjiang 834000, China ' Heavy Oil Development Sub-Company of Xinjiang Oilfield Branch Company, Petro China, Karamay, Xinjiang 834000, China ' Heavy Oil Development Sub-Company of Xinjiang Oilfield Branch Company, Petro China, Karamay, Xinjiang 834000, China ' Heavy Oil Development Sub-Company of Xinjiang Oilfield Branch Company, Petro China, Karamay, Xinjiang 834000, China ' Heavy Oil Development Sub-Company of Xinjiang Oilfield Branch Company, Petro China, Karamay, Xinjiang 834000, China ' Heavy Oil Development Sub-Company of Xinjiang Oilfield Branch Company, Petro China, Karamay, Xinjiang 834000, China ' Heavy Oil Development Sub-Company of Xinjiang Oilfield Branch Company, Petro China, Karamay, Xinjiang 834000, China ' Heavy Oil Development Sub-Company of Xinjiang Oilfield Branch Company, Petro China, Karamay, Xinjiang 834000, China

Abstract: The oil steam ratio (OSR) is often used as a key economic indicator for the steam recovery process. However, it cannot reflect the actual energy efficiency when it comes to the superheated steam. Although superheated steam recovers more oil than saturated steam, the energy consumption required to produce superheated steam is also higher. In this paper, the numerical simulation method is used to study the mechanisms of superheated-SAGD. The results show that the aquathermolysis reaction has considerable impact on the SAGD performance, especially when superheated steam is used. The non-condensing gas (NCG) could decrease the heat loss between the steam chamber and the overburden layer. However, it will also limit the steam chamber lateral development. The optimal superheated degree is determined based on the proposed energy efficiency indicator. It shows that the superheated steam is more suitable for improving oil recovery efficiency at relatively low operating pressure SAGD projects. [Received: February 28, 2023; Accepted: April 22, 2023]

Keywords: heavy oil; SAGD; superheated steam; energy efficiency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2023.133536

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2023 Vol.34 No.1, pp.1 - 24

Received: 28 Feb 2023
Accepted: 22 Apr 2023
Published online: 19 Sep 2023 *

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