Improved Management of the SAGD Steam Chamber via Inflow Control Devices

Presented by Sudiptya BanerjeeSPE Heavy Oil/Horizontal Well Special Interest GroupCalgary, AlbertaMarch 28th, 2013

Uneven Production from a Horizontal Lateral

Sections of the lateral are favored for production due to the influence of:

• Frictional pressure drop in the completion string• Variations in Kv and Kh along the wellbore• Variations in fluid composition and mobility• Non-uniform reservoir pressure along the lateral length

Flow Control Devices: The Application to SAGD

Injector Flow Equalization:

• Even steam distribution/steam chamber growth

• Higher sweep efficiency• Higher thermal efficiency• Potential for cheaper

design (longer laterals, smaller ODs)

Producer Flow Equalization:

• Supplements injection flow control

• Smaller variation in steam trap control liquid height

• Potential to choke back live steam entering the producer (autonomous flow controllers only)

Types of Flow Control DevicesFrictional Geometry

Restriction Geometry

Autonomous Geometry

∆ 𝑃=128𝜇𝐿𝑄𝜋𝑑4

∝𝜇𝑄

Big flow area, low velocity, viscosity sensitive

Small flow area, high velocity, partially viscosity insensitive

Varies; big flow area, low velocity, viscosity insensitive

Performance Characterization

Hybrid Geometry

Visualizing the Fluid Flow Path

Fluid Dynamics in the Device (Oil, 189 cP)

Fluid Dynamics in the Device (Water, 1 cP)

Case Study – SPE 153706

9

Bitumen Production

10

Cumulative Steam-Oil-Ratio (CSOR)

11

Conclusion

• Improved steam injection correlates to better thermal efficiency

• Use of autonomous flow control devices in the producer provides additional confidence in steam trap control

• Modeling critical to proper application• Questions?