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heavy-oil
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Characterization and Modeling of Heavy Oil Fields Using Artificial Neural Networks to Optimize Horizontal Wells Selection
, Ph.D. Dissertation Sharif University of Technology ; Pishvaie, Mahmoud Reza (Supervisor) ; Taghi Khani, Vahid (Supervisor) ; Buzorgmehri, Ramin (Co-Advisor)
Abstract
Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) is one of the best and the most effective methods of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) which is used in the production from Heavy Oil Reservoirs which constitute large amount of oil throughout the globe. In a typical process of SAGD, steam is injected into a horizontal well and the oil is produced several meters deeper in the ground. In order to increase the Recovery of this process, it is better to review on the Pre-heating methods around the injecting and producing wells. Pre-heating is important when the viscosity of the oil is large enough to prevent oil from any motion at the beginning of the SADG operation, and makes it necessary to to use a Pre-heating...
Semi-Analytical Modeling And Simulation Of Heavy Oil Recovery Through VAPEX Process
, M.Sc. Thesis Sharif University of Technology ; Masihi, Mohsen (Supervisor) ; Kharrat, Riyaz (Supervisor)
Abstract
VAPEX is a relatively new EOR process for the recovery of heavy oil. In this process solvent is used to form a vapor chamber within a reservoir. Vapor dissolves in the oil and diluted oil drains by gravity to a horizontal production well. The essential features of this recovery mechanism have been discussed in this study. Furthermore, a semi-analytical and a simulation study of VAPEX process have been performed on a specified Iranian heavy oil reservoir (such as Kuh-e-Mond). The aim of this study is to investigate an exponential functionality (correlation) witch incorporates all physical parameters that affect the production rate of VAPEX process in dimensionless form. The adjustable...
Experimental Investigation of Heavy Oil Recovery by Liquid CO2 Huff and Puff Method
, M.Sc. Thesis Sharif University of Technology ; Vossoughi, Manoochehr (Supervisor) ; Shadizadeh, Reza (Supervisor) ; Kharrat, Reeaz (Supervisor) ; Ghazanfari, Mohammad Hossein (Co-Advisor)
Abstract
In recent years, carbon dioxide is used for enhanced oil recovery of heavy oil. Steam Huff and Puff is one of the enhanced oil recovery methods used for heavy oil. In this study liquid CO2 was used as an injecting fluid instead of steam. In this paper a series of experiments were performed to demonstrate the effect of carbon dioxide injection pressure on huff and puff process. The experimental data are used in lab scale model simulated with commercial simulator Eclipse 300 to investigate the effect of soaking time, injection pore volume and rate of injection on the heavy oil recovery. Result of experiments showed that huff and puff process under miscible pressure condition gives the most...
Simulation of Heat & Momentum Balance of Vacuum Bottom Flow in Thermal Cracking Fired Heater
, M.Sc. Thesis Sharif University of Technology ; Farhadi, Fathollah (Supervisor)
Abstract
The delayed coking process is one of the common thermal process technique that used to improve the quality of heavy oil. In this process, heavy feeds such as vacuum residues have been heated in the furnace to temperatures up to the 480-500 °C. For the cracking reactions the heated feed have been sent to the drum that is placed after the furnace. Since the reactions begin inside the furnace and coke is one of the products, deposited on the wall of the tube. With the deposition of coke on the tube wall and the reduction of heat transfer, the temperature of the tube have been increased with the increasing of the flame temperature to save constant heat flux. Therefore, the study of thermal...
Adsorption and Conversion of Heavy Oil Asphaltene on Composite Nanostructures
, M.Sc. Thesis Sharif University of Technology ; Ghotbi, Siros (Supervisor) ; Khodadadi, Abbasali (Supervisor)
Abstract
The aim of this project was to upgrade and reduce viscosity of heavy oils by adsorbing of asphaltene on Ni-Mo/CB and converting it into lighter and more valuable gas and liquid compounds. Asphaltene has been extracted from a heavy crude oil sample of Soroush oil field in Iran. After adsorption, Asphaltene conversion to lighter components (gas/liquid) was studied through hydrocracking process. To prepare the support of catalyst, Carbon Black, initially a thermal treatment step under the argon gas atmosphere followed by acid-washing process was performed. Afterward, the catalysts was prepared through dry impregnation method. In order to activate catalyst for hydrocracking, the catalysts has...
Experimental Investigation of Carbonated Water Alternating Nitrogen Gas Injection to Enhance Heavy Oil Recovery From Carbonated Rock Reservoir
, M.Sc. Thesis Sharif University of Technology ; Ghazanfari, Mohammad Hossein (Supervisor) ; Taghikhani, Vahid (Co-Advisor) ; Badakhshan, Amir (Co-Advisor)
Abstract
By continuous decreasing the fossil fuel energy resources and increasing demand of such energies on the other hand with decreasing exploration of the new ones, production from these limited resources are in grate consideration. As a few percentages of the oil recovers by primary oil production and also remaining a lot of oil after water and gas injection in the secondary oil recovery process, causes that new methods to increase the oil recovery has been proposed. Water injection is a simple and common method in enhanced oil recovery process. Also water alternating gas injection and simultaneous water and gas injection causes considerable increase in oil recovery. Recently utilization of...
Screening of the EOR Scenarios for Shaly Heavy Oil Reservoirs Using Five-Spot Glass Micromodel: an Experimental Study
, M.Sc. Thesis Sharif University of Technology ; Masihi, Mohsen (Supervisor) ; Ghazanfari, Mohammad Hossein (Supervisor) ; Kharrat, Riyaz (Supervisor)
Abstract
Most of the heavy oil reservoirs contain discontinuous shaly structures which affect fluid flow through porous media as well as oil recovery efficiency during EOR processes. However, selecting the best EOR technique which maximizes the oil recovery remains a topic of debate in the literature. In addition the effect of shale geometrical characteristics including: spacing from wells, discontinuity, orientation, number of shale streaks, shale's spacing and length on oil recovery factor are not well understood. In this work experiments have been performed on one-quarter five-spot glass micromodels. These models have been developed by a new method using laser technology. Generally, this research...
Experimental Investigation of the Role of Fracture Geometrical Characteristics and Injection Scenarios on Heavy Oil Recovery during Hydrocarbon Solvent Flooding
, M.Sc. Thesis Sharif University of Technology ; Masihi, Mohsen (Supervisor) ; Ghazanfari, Mohammad Hossein (Supervisor) ; Kharrat, Riyaz ($item.subfieldsMap.e)
Abstract
Due to the importance of enhanced oil recovery of heavy oil fractured reservoirs, in this work micromodel setup has been used to study the miscible solvent injection in five-spot fractured reservoirs with different fracture geometrical characteristics. Due to the visual nature and flexibility of the micromodel patterns it is a subject of interest to be used in different studies. Different patterns has been constructed by chemical etching and controlled laser etching and saturated with displaced fluid and flooded by constant rate injection of hydrocarbon solvent in abient temperature and pressure. At first, effect of fracture’s length, numbering, orientation, discontinuity and scattering on...
Kinetic Modeling of Slurry Phase Residue Hydroconversion
, M.Sc. Thesis Sharif University of Technology ; Khorashe, Farhad (Supervisor) ; Kazemeini, Mohammad (Supervisor)
Abstract
Existing processes to improve the quality of heavy oil cuts catalytic converter hydroconversion can be mentioned in the slurry phase. This process is usually done in the temperature 440˚C to 470˚C be a heavy craking led to the production of light weight thermal feed can be more. With more products light, adverse reaction can also lead to the formation of coke be. Coke formation of secondary radical reactions can be feed from cracking of heavy compounds. Coke production is to eliminate or limit the ability of homogeneous catalysts (eg sulfide Molybdium) about 600-1000 ppm disposable food adds to be used. The main role of catalyst in the stable radicals fail thermal compound feed is heavy. The...
Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Heavy Oil Recovery Using Chemical Flooding; Mechanistically Study
, Ph.D. Dissertation Sharif University of Technology ; Masihi, Mohsan (Supervisor) ; Ayatollahi, Shahaboddin (Supervisor)
Abstract
Chemical flooding has great potential to recover significant fractions of remaining oil for medium to heavy oil reservoirs not applicable for thermal recovery techniques. Nowadays, with gradual crude oil price increase the chemical process is receiving renewed attention, however, illustration of the possibility of various chemical injection scenarios for medium to heavy oil reservoirs has not been clearly reported and these kinds of reservoirs require more investigation for the applicability of these techniques in the fields. The interfacial active molecules are responsible for providing low IFT range and water/oil emulsions which in many cases could improve the oil displacement efficiency....
Experimental Investigation of Polymer Flooding for more Heavy Oil Recovery; Comparing to the Thermal EOR Method
, M.Sc. Thesis Sharif University of Technology ; Ayatollahi, Sahab (Supervisor) ; Masihi, Mohsen (Supervisor)
Abstract
Heavy oil reservoirs are becoming more important as the oil price increase and more light oil reservoirs are being depleted. Thermal oil recovery, especially steam flooding is considered as the most efficient EOR technique for heavy oil reservoirs that stays on the top of the recent EOR field experiences. However this method is not applicable in some reservoir conditions like deep reservoirs or reservoirs with thin pay zones.
Due to sever viscous fingering during water flooding heavy oil reservoirs, a large amount of oil would remain untouched in the reservoir. Polymer flooding could be a potential method for enhanced oil recovery by improving sweep efficiency. However there haven’t been...
Due to sever viscous fingering during water flooding heavy oil reservoirs, a large amount of oil would remain untouched in the reservoir. Polymer flooding could be a potential method for enhanced oil recovery by improving sweep efficiency. However there haven’t been...
Experimental Study of ASP Flooding in Shaly Heavy Oil Reservoirs Using Five-Spot Micromodels
, M.Sc. Thesis Sharif University of Technology ; Rashtchian, Davood (Supervisor) ; Masihi, Mohsen (Supervisor) ; Ghazanfari, Mohammad Hossein (Supervisor)
Abstract
Heavy oil reservoirs include a major part of the world’s oil reservoirs. Therefore consideration to their enhanced oil recovery (EOR) aspects has a great importance. In heavy oil reservoirs secondary and tertiary EOR methods, have an insignificant effect on oil recovery and so we’d better to use chemical methods to improve mobility and oil recovery. One of the appropriate EOR methods which has attracted a lot of attention is alkaline – surfactant – polymer (ASP) flooding which has a considerable impact on EOR from heavy oil reservoirs. In this EOR method, the low concentration of surfactant in the injecting fluid, results in a low or ultra-low interfacial tension (IFT) between residual oil...
Phase behavior and interfacial tension evaluation of a newly designed surfactant on heavy oil displacement efficiency; effects of salinity, wettability, and capillary pressure
, Article Fluid Phase Equilibria ; Vol. 396, issue , June , 2015 , p. 20-27 ; ISSN: 03783812 ; Masihi, M ; Ayatollahi, S ; Sharif University of Technology
Abstract
This work aims to discuss the results of wide ranges of laboratory investigations to evaluate the performance of a newly-formulated surfactant for heavy oil reservoirs in order to improve the microscopic sweep efficiency after water flooding processes. In the first part, the specific behavior of the formulated surfactant including its salinity tolerance, interfacial tension, and optimum performance window was determined. Then, the application of surfactant solutions in real sandstone reservoir rocks was assessed for both oil-wet and water-wet cases. Besides, the effect of changing the capillary and viscous forces and interfacial tension on the residual phase saturations were characterized....
Studying the Mechanistic Behavior of Heavy Oil Displacement Using a Group of Alkalis and Surfactant Mixtures
, Article Chemical Engineering Communications ; Vol. 202, issue. 3 , May , 2015 , p. 366-374 ; ISSN: 00986445 ; Jadaly, A ; Masihi, M ; Ayatollahi, S ; Sharif University of Technology
Abstract
In this study, a mixture-based sulfonate-based surfactant with a novel formula capable of functioning in real oil reservoir conditions was prepared and some microscopic parameters, like its compatibility state, emulsion behavior, interfacial tension, and temperature dependency in the presence of a heavy oil sample, and two of the most popular alkalis were analyzed; then the results were compared with those of a commercial sulfate-based surfactant. The designed surfactant provided an optimum three-phase region in relatively high salinity media; however, its optimum value decreased when adding any alkaline materials; this trend was reversed for the solutions made with the sulfate-based...
Toward mechanistic understanding of heavy crude oil/brine interfacial tension: The roles of salinity, temperature and pressure
, Article Fluid Phase Equilibria ; Vol. 375, issue , August , 2014 , p. 191-200 ; ISSN: 03783812 ; Hemmati-Sarapardeh, A ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Masihi, M ; Ayatollahi, S ; Sharif University of Technology
Abstract
Injecting low salinity brines is regarded as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process through IFT reduction. However, the exact mechanism behind this process is an unsettled and complex issue that has not been well understood yet, especially for heavy crude oil system. Besides, limited information is available regarding the key heavy oil/brine interfacial tension (IFT). The present study aims to investigate the sensitivity of dead heavy crude oil/brine IFT to a wide range of properties/conditions and to reveal the underlying physicochemical mechanisms involved in enhanced oil recovery and IFT reduction by low salinity water injection into heavy oil reservoir. IFT was measured as a function of...
Monitoring the effect of discontinuous shales on the surfactant flooding performance in heavy oil reservoirs using 2D glass micromodels
, Article Petroleum Science and Technology ; Vol. 32, issue. 12 , Apr , 2014 , p. 1404-1417 ; ISSN: 10916466 ; Kharrat, R ; Masihi, M ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Saidian, M ; Sharif University of Technology
Abstract
Although most heavy oil reservoirs contain discontinuous shaly structures, there is a lack of fundamental understanding how the shaly structures affect the oil recovery efficiency, especially during surfactant flooding to heavy oils. Here, an experimental study was conducted to examine the effect of discontinuous shales on performance of surfactant flooding by introducing heterogeneities to represent streaks of shale in five-spot glass micromodels. Results show that oil recovery in presence of shale streak is lower than in its absence. Based on the authors' observations, the presence of flow barriers causes premature breakthrough of injected fluids and also an unstable displacement front. As...
Effect of small scale flow barriers heterogeneities and connate water on displacement efficiency of polymer floods to heavy oil reservoirs
, Article Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering ; Vol. 91, issue. 10 , October , 2013 , p. 1729-1740 ; ISSN: 00084034 ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Masihi, M ; Vossoughi, S ; Sharif University Of Technology
Abstract
This work concerns a fundamental understanding of how heterogeneities induced by flow barriers and connate water affect the displacement efficiency of polymer floods, which has rarely been studied in the available literature. Here, a series of water/polymer injection experiments to heavy oil performed on five-spot glass micromodels containing randomly distributed shale structures is presented. It has been found that macroscopic efficiency of polymer flooding majorly depends on flow barriers distribution/configuration; shale content and geometrical characteristics; presence of connate water and wettability of medium. Microscopic pictures revealed that the main parts of connate water were...
Monitoring the role of fracture geometrical characteristics on fingering initiation/development during heavy oil miscible displacements in fractured porous media
, Article Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization and Environmental Effects ; Vol. 35, issue. 12 , Aug , 2010 , p. 1129-1139 ; ISSN: 15567036 ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Masihi, M ; Kharrat, R ; Sharif University of Technology
Abstract
Finger initiation/development at fluid-fluid interface during miscible floods can cause poor displacement efficiency, which is undesirable in enhanced oil recovery processes. In this work, a series of hydrocarbon injection experiments performed on 5-spot glass micromodels that were initially saturated with the heavy crude oil. The fractured micromodels with different fracture geometrical characteristics were used in the tests. High quality image analysis was applied to determine the fluid flow behavior, solvent front movement, and viscous fingering associated with solvent movement in matrix and fractures. Observations showed that higher solvent dispersion in the fractures rather than matrix...
Monitoring wettability alteration by silica nanoparticles during water flooding to heavy oils in five-spot systems: A pore-level investigation
, Article Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science ; Vol. 40, issue , July , 2012 , p. 168-176 ; ISSN: 08941777 ; Mohammadi, S ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Kharrat, R ; Masihi, M ; Sharif University of Technology
Abstract
It is well known that the displacement efficiency of EOR processes is mainly affected by wettability of porous medium; however, the role of nanoparticles on wettability alteration of pores surfaces remains a topic of debate in the literature. Furthermore, a little is known about how the dispersed silica nanoparticles affect the microscopic/macroscopic recovery efficiency of heavy oils during common immiscible EOR processes such as water flooding. In this study, a series of injection experiments was performed on five-spot glass micromodel which is initially saturated with the heavy oil. Distilled water and dispersed silica nanoparticles in water (DSNW) at different values of weight percent...
Experimental study of miscible displacement with hydrocarbon solvent in shaly heavy oil reservoirs using five-spot micromodels: The role of shale geometrical characteristics
, Article Journal of Porous Media ; Vol. 15, issue. 5 , 2012 , p. 415-427 ; ISSN: 1091028X ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Masihi, M ; Kharrat, R ; Sharif University of Technology
Abstract
Most of the heavy oil reservoirs contain discontinuous shale which affects fluid flow through porous media as well as recovery efficiency during enhanced oil recovery processes. However, the role of shale geometrical characteristics (including orientation, length, discontinuity, and spacing of the shale) on oil recovery remains a topic of debate in the literature, especially during miscible injection of heavy oils and five-spot systems. Here, a series of hydrocarbon solvent injection tests have been performed on various five-spot glass micromodels containing barriers which are initially saturated with heavy oil under fixed flow rate conditions. Oil recoveries as a function of pore volumes of...