Heavy oil recovery techniques that reduce CO2 emissions and water consumption
Thermal heavy oil recovery techniques such as SAGD or cyclic steam injection that require the generation of steam require significant amounts of water and in turn produce large quantities of CO2. While thermal processes have proved to be the most effective and economic for heavy oil recovery, there are emerging technologies for non-thermal recovery that lower water resource requirements and reduce CO2 output.
Cold heavy oil recovery techniques include VAPEX and CHOPS. VAPEX involves the injection of solvents and gases and may become an effective technology for production of oil with viscosity less than about 1000 cP. Higher viscosities require higher percentages of solvent, rendering the process uneconomic.
Cold Heavy Oil Production with Sand (CHOPS) can be very effective, even in thin beds (< 10m) where steam methods are inefficient. CHOPS system design requires a good understanding of the production mechanisms based on operational experience. This understanding must include the consequences of high levels of sand production and the fact that very high drawdown can lead to water production, which will kill a well.
CHOPS incurs a massive influx or production of sand into the well due to stress from the overburden. This movement generates a liquefied zone around the borehole surrounded by an area of high permeability, with wormholes and dilated zones.
You can learn more about both of the techniques in our Recovery Methods section and the related articles below.
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