Abstract
Production from heavy oil reservoirs has always been a challenge due mainly to one factor in particular high oil viscosity, implying low oil mobility within porous media. Different methods have been implemented over the years in order to reduce oil viscosity. Well-known methods include steam injection (e.g., Steam Drive, Steam Assisted Gravity-SAGD), CO2 injection, chemical injection etc. These types of application are mainly applied to onshore fields where space is available and operating costs are much lower with respect to offshore fields. Moreover they may not be feasible for shallow reservoirs where injection could be an issue due to uncertainties regarding the cap-rock sealing.
The scope of this paper is to present a patented nonconventional EOR method for heavy oil reservoirs using radio frequency/microwave heating. An adequate completion design and well-reservoir connection is used for heating the oil, thus solving the problems that impede RadioFrequency /MicroWave (RF/MW) penetration into the reservoir. Consequently, oil viscosity may be reduced, thus allowing its continuous production to surface (eventually by means of an artificial lift system included in the well completion). This method could be also suitable for offshore fields because it doesn't require high energy consumption, or large surface areas, or high operating costs. It can also be suitable for those shallow reservoirs not suitable for injection processes. This paper presents details of this new technology and associated simulation results showing its range of implementation.
