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Thermal FLooding

Thermal FLooding
Thermal FLooding

Thermal Flooding in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)

Thermal flooding is a key method in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) used to extract crude oil that can’t be recovered by conventional methods. By reducing oil viscosity through heat, it improves oil flow and extraction. Here’s a look at the primary techniques:

  • Hot Fluid Injection: Involves injecting steam or hot water into the reservoir. This method reduces oil viscosity, improving flow.
  1. Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS): Steam is injected, the well is closed to soak, then oil is produced from the same well.
  2. Steam Flooding: Steam is injected continuously into one well, with oil being produced from surrounding wells.
  3. Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD): Uses two horizontal wells to inject steam and collect oil, taking advantage of gravity.
  • In-Situ Combustion (ISC): Oil is ignited in the reservoir to create heat, which pushes the remaining oil towards the production wells.
  1. Dry Forward Combustion: Air is injected to burn the oil and push lighter oil forward.
  2. Wet Forward Combustion: Water is injected with air to retain more heat and make the process more efficient.
  3. Reverse Combustion: Two wells are used to ignite and push oil forward, ideal for heavy oil.
  • Electrical Heating: Electric currents heat electrodes in the reservoir, making oil more mobile.
  1. Resistive Heating: Electrical currents pass through conductive materials (like water) to generate heat.
  2. Inductive Heating: Alternating currents generate eddy currents, creating heat to reduce oil viscosity.
  • Electromagnetic Heating: Electromagnetic waves, like microwaves or radio waves, heat the oil. This is ideal for deep or non-conductive materials such as bitumen.

Factors Influencing Thermal EOR:

Oil Viscosity: High-viscosity oils respond well to heating, allowing for better flow.

Reservoir Thickness: Thicker reservoirs retain heat better, enhancing oil recovery.

Heat Loss: Reducing heat loss is crucial to maximizing the efficiency of thermal flooding.

Corrosion: Thermal methods can lead to well and equipment corrosion, which needs careful material management.

Thermal EOR plays a significant role in boosting oil recovery, especially in reservoirs with heavy oil and challenging conditions. The continued advancement of these techniques will help extract more oil efficiently from difficult reserves.

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