A modified model for aquathermolysis and its application in numerical simulation. (1st November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Shijun; Huang, Qian; Liu, Hao; Cheng, Linsong; Fan, Zifei; Zhao, Lun
• Is Part Of: Fuel. Volume 207(2017)
• Page Start: 568
• Page End: 578
• Publication Date: 2017-11-01
• Subjects: Heavy oil -- Steam -- Aquathermolysis -- Numerical simulation; Fuel -- Periodicals; Coal -- Periodicals; Coal; Fuel; Periodicals; 662.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2017.06.127
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-2361

Abstract

Highlights: A modified aquathermolysis reaction model for numerical simulation is established. The results indicate the model can well characterize aquathermolysis reaction. The mechanism of aquathermolysis reaction for oil stimulation is discussed. Abstract: Steam injection can significantly reduce the viscosity of heavy oil. In addition to physical effects, chemical reactions such as aquathermolysis also make a difference. However, the current numerical simulators do not include the characterization for the aquathermolysis reactions, making it unable to analyze directly the effect of the aquathermolysis reactions using numerical simulation. To solve this problem, a basic model of aquathermolysis reactions for numerical simulation is established in this paper. After dividing the oil components reasonably, a modified chemical equation is well defined. And the pre-exponential factors and activation energies are also calculated. Afterwards, this model is implemented into the numerical simulator CMG-STARS, and the results with and without the model are compared, to analyze the mechanisms of aquathermolysis reaction for increasing production. The results indicate: (1) the numerical simulation results with the aquathermolysis reaction model are more consistent with field results (2) aquathermolysis reactions can further reduce the viscosity of heavy oil, increase oil production, and reduce the water saturation near the well bore area.