Experimental investigation into the influence of convective dispersion and model height on oil drainage rates during VAPEX

Abdullah Alkindi*, Ann Muggeridge, Yahya Al-Wahaibi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Vapour extraction (VAPEX) has received considerable attention as an enhanced heavy oil recovery process. Like SAGD it relies on significantly reducing the oil viscosity but has the advantage over SAGD that it will be effective in thin or deep reservoirs where thermal methods are impractical due excessive heat losses. Nonetheless field applications of VAPEX have been limited partly due to difficulties in predicting the high oil rates observed in laboratory experiments and thus in upscaling the results to field scale. In this paper, we present a laboratory investigation of the VAPEX process using analogue fluids in a well characterized glass bead pack. The experiments were focused specifically on determining the role of convective dispersion and reservoir thickness on drainage rates. Longitudinal and transverse dispersion coefficients were measured with and without gravity in order to quantify the impact of interstitial velocities and contrasts in the fluids' viscosity and density on the rate of mixing as encountered in VAPEX. The experimental measurements of oil drainage rates were higher than predicted by the standard Butler-Mokrys analytical model assuming diffusion-controlled mass transfer. The use of measured dispersion coefficients however significantly improved the model predictions. In addition, the results found drainage rates to have a higher than square root dependency on model height. The combined effects of the roles of convective dispersion and model height on drainage rates were incorporated into a predictive model that satisfactorily matched measured rates in the laboratory.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSPE EOR Conference at Oil and Gas West Asia 2010, OGWA - EOR Challenges, Experiences and Opportunities in the Middle East
PublisherSociety of Petroleum Engineers
Pages249-265
Number of pages17
ISBN (Print)9781617385131
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010

Publication series

NameSPE EOR Conference at Oil and Gas West Asia 2010, OGWA - EOR Challenges, Experiences and Opportunities in the Middle East

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geochemistry and Petrology

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