Abstract
Steam injection is one of the most common EOR methods adapted in heavy oil reservoirs. Steam improves the heavy oil mobility by reducing its viscosity via temperature increase. Steam Flood and Steam Cycle are the primary approaches applied widely in a steam EOR project.
Profit maximization of steam flood projects require good reservoir management practices including regular reviews to optimize steam injection. Steam management adjustments are both simple and complex. The steam management adjustments react against performance expectations, such as early or late production response at the production wells
An integrated work effort by the reservoir management team is imperative in the daily surveillance work. This work requires using geological maps, fence diagrams, permeability maps for identifying possible sand channels and preferential steam path, injection profile logs, injection rates/pressure and production data. Synthesizing all this data determines best locations to redistribute available steam. Expected response is lower steam oil ratios, lower wellhead temperature and lower well water cut rates.
This paper, it summarizes the workflow used for steam optimization process in one of Oman steam flood project. The workflow covers the identification through implementation phase where steam adjustments are required. These phases include review of geological description, petrophysical properties, and production and injection trends. This paper also discusses final KPI measures used to judge successful steam management adjustments.
