Production assurance in heavy oil

A framework for predicting flow problems in heavy oil.

Heavy oil represents unique challenges in flow assurance which in short is the ability to transport produced fluids from the reservoir trough the wellbore, flow lines and facilities in a predictable manner over the life of the project. Flow assurance is especially challenging in more remote or deep water environments. In heavy oil, plugging in subsurface and surface systems can occur due to factors such as scaling, sulfur, hydrocarbon solids, and asphaletene drop out.

As a result in trying to better model and manage flow problems associated with heavy oil emulsions and asphaletenes, Schlumberger engineers published SPE 103900, which was presented at the First International Oil Conference and Exhibition in Mexico. It describes a production assurance risk study and a resulting mathematical model to better predict and plan for flow problems that can be applied to heavy oil operations.

Kambiz.