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CAPRI in situ upgrading
CAPRI involves the addition of gravel-packed catalyst—as used in a conventional refinery—between the tubing and the horizontal wellbore. Laboratory test results have shown the technique to add 6–8 API points on top of the THAI in situ upgrades. Based on these experiments, the combination could deliver in situ upgrading to above the 22 API requirement for produced fluids that can be transported by pipeline without diluent—a major cost saving. In situ upgrading will also enable considerable savings in surface upgrading and refining costs.
CAPRI technology will also be tested in the second phase of the Petrobank field pilots. The oil moving through the CAPRI catalyst is already partially upgraded by the THAI process, so fouling is not expected to be a major problem. In addition, as the combustion front moves forward, fresh new catalyst is made available. Standard refinery catalyst is relatively cheap; but the limiting factor is the amount of catalyst that can be put into the well. The University of Bath IOR Group, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, have just been awarded a grant of £720,000 by the EPSRC to investigate the optimization of the CAPRI ‘Reactor’. Petrobank is also funding part of this research and Dr Greaves remains involved with the Petrobank field project.
THAI and CAPRI are trademarks of Petrobank Energy and Resources Ltd.
