Depth limits of steam injection
With innovations in downhole steam generation and articial lift systems, the practical depth limits of heavy oil recovery from steam injection techniques such as CSS and SAGD are increasing.
In one of our recent discussion forums, the subject of reservoir depth limits for steam injection techniques was raised. With surface steam injection, economic operating depths are typically limited to a few hundred meters given heat and pressure loss in tubulars that reduces steam quality and heat content at the injection interval. However with the introduction of downhole steam generation and improved artificial lift systems combined approaches like SAGD, operating depths have increased significantly with some heavy oil fields operating at depths greater than 800 meters. A good SPE reference on the subject of downhole steam generation is A Comparative Evaluation of Surface and Downhole Steam Generation Techniques. Another good related reference on production with ESP’s in deeper heavy oil operations is Pushing the Boundaries of Artificial Lift Applications: SAGD ESP Installations at Suncor Energy.
Kambiz.
