The purpose of this paper is to describe the evolution of a successful steamflood, and to discuss various operational parameters that have been recorded over time. Also described are the techniques that were employed to maintain the project's profitability as the flood became more mature and less efficient.

Section 2F (T.11N./R.24W.) is located in the southern end of the Midway Sunset Oil Field, near Maricopa, California. The reservoir is composed of 5 primary sand bodies (referred to as the A-E sands) delineated by interbedded, impermeable shales. A unique characteristic of this reservoir is that it dips at 53 degrees on average. The 14 degree API (.97 g/cm3)oil production has been accelerated in 3 of the 5 sands through thermally assisted gravity drainage.

In 2 of the 3- original target (E and D) sands, we are phasing out continuous updip injection due primarily to economics and project maturity. A number of operational parameters have been recorded from the project start up until the present. See table 1. For these 2 sands, the project has performed nearly as predicted in the- original scoping. The flood in the third (C) sand has been in operation for less than 1 year, and it therefore has little information available to report.

Keywords:
thermal method, producer, expansion, injection, sagd, steamflood, enhanced recovery, reduction, steeply, society of petroleum engineers
Subjects:
Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Reservoir Characterization, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Thermal methods
Copyright 1992, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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