Heavy oil recovery in fractured reservoirs

Technical references for heavy oil recovery in naturally fractured reservoirs.

In our Heavy Oil Forum: heavy oil production in naturally fractured reservoirs, the question of how best to characterize and model natural fractures in heavy oil reservoirs was raised. In addition to the references provided in the forum, I would also point out SPE technical paper 99920-MS by Dr. A.S. Bagci from Heriot-Watt University. Dr. Bagci presents the effect of horizontal and vertical fractures on the SAGD process using a three-dimensional, thermal, computer simulation model. Temperature distributions, the growth of the initial steam chamber, fracture orientation, SOR, and oil recovery were investigated with various horizontal and vertical well configurations. The paper concluded that optimal oil recovery was realized by horizontal injection and production wells and fracture location played a significant role in ultimate recovery and breakthrough SOR.

Kambiz.