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Comparing the performance and recovery mechanisms for steam flooding in heavy and light oil reservoirs
, Article Society of Petroleum Engineers- SPE Heavy Oil Conference ; Volume 1 , 2012 , Pages 28-36 ; 9781622761111 (ISBN) ; Ayatollahi, S ; Shabaninejad, M ; Sharif University of Technology
SPE
2012
Abstract
The concern over fossil energy shortage for the next decade leads to the extensive research activities in the area of enhanced oil recovery. Steam injection as one of well known EOR process has been used for about five decades to improve the oil production rate and recovery efficiency. Steam flooding is applied to heavy and extra-heavy oil reservoirs; however it could be used in light oil reservoirs in which water injection do not work effectively. Regardless of different performances, this method is an efficient EOR process for both heavy and light oil reservoirs. In this work, two separate numerical models were prepared to investigate steam flooding performance for the recovery of light...
Macroscopic recovery mechanisms of in-situ combustion process in heavy oil fractured systems: Effect of fractures geometrical properties and operational parameters
, Article Society of Petroleum Engineers - SPE EOR Conference at Oil and Gas West Asia 2012, OGWA - EOR: Building Towards Sustainable Growth ; Volume 2 , 2012 , Pages 593-617 ; 9781622760473 (ISBN) ; Kharrat, R ; Vossoughi, S ; Ghotbi, C ; Sharif University of Technology
SPE
2012
Abstract
The In-Situ Combustion (ISC) as a thermal EOR process has been studied deeply in heavy oil reservoirs and is a promising method for certain non-fractured sandstones. However, its feasibility in fractured carbonates remained questionable. The aim of the present work was to understand the recovery mechanisms of ISC in fractured models and to evaluate the effect of fractures geometrical properties such as orientation, density, location and networking on the ISC recovery performance. Combustion parameters of a fractured low permeable carbonate heavy oil reservoir in Middle East called KEM; applied to simulation study. Simulator has been validated with KEM combustion tube experimental data and...
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 ; Volume 40 , July , 2012 , Pages 168-176 ; 08941777 (ISSN) ; Mohammadi, S ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Kharrat, R ; Masihi, M ; Sharif University of Technology
2012
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 investigation of constant and concentration-dependent diffusivity of a hydrocarbon solvents-heavy oil system: A comparative study
, Article Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization and Environmental Effects ; Volume 34, Issue 3 , 2011 , Pages 235-245 ; 15567036 (ISSN) ; Kharrat, R ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Rashtchian, D ; Sharif University of Technology
Abstract
This work is concerned with the experimental investigation of mass transfer, which occurs during diffusion of hydrocarbon solvents in heavy oil based on constant and concentration-dependent diffusion coefficient. Here, a series of free fall diffusion experiments have been conducted in sealed test tubes at fixed temperatures. Pentane, hexane, and octane were used as solvents and were placed on heavy oil in tubes. The diffusivity of heavy oil into solvents was monitored by a digital camera. The image analysis technique was applied to extract concentration profiles in diffusion zones of solvents by means of calibration curves. Fick's second law was used to obtain both constant and...
Pore-level investigation of heavy oil recovery during water alternating solvent injection process
, Article Transport in Porous Media ; Volume 83, Issue 3 , July , 2010 , Pages 653-666 ; 01693913 (ISSN) ; Farzaneh, S. A ; Kharrat, R ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Rashtchian, D ; Sharif University of Technology
2010
Abstract
This study concerns with the microscopic and macroscopic fluid distribution and flow behavior during water alternating solvent (WAS) injection process to heavy oil using micromodel generated from thin section of a real rock which has rarely attended in the available literature. In this study, a one-quarter five-spot glass micromodel was deployed to examine the effect of flow media topology on microscopic displacements as well as macroscopic efficiency of WAS process. The micromodel was initially saturated with the heavy oil, and then the hydrocarbon solvent and water were injected alternately into it. The observations confirmed that WAS injection scheme is an effective method for the...
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...
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...
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...
Investigation of the microscopic displacement mechanisms and macroscopic behavior of alkaline flooding at different wettability conditions in shaly glass micromodels
, Article Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering ; Vol. 122, issue , August , 2014 , pp. 595-615 ; ISSN: 09204105 ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Sharif University of Technology
Abstract
Among various chemical methods, alkaline flooding has a great potential for enhancing heavy oil recovery, especially for reservoirs which contain acidic crude oil. However, fundamental understanding about microscopic displacement mechanisms and macroscopic behavior during alkaline floods at different wettabilities is not well understood, especially in five-spot shaly models. In this work several alkaline floods are performed on a glass micromodel containing randomly distributed shale streaks at different wettability conditions. Various mechanisms responsible for enhancing heavy oil recovery during alkaline flooding are investigated at different wettability conditions. These mechanisms...
Assessment of vapor extraction (VAPEX) process performance in naturally fractured reservoirs
, Article Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering ; Volume 75, Issue 3-4 , January , 2011 , Pages 260-273 ; 09204105 (ISSN) ; Kharrat, R ; Sharif University of Technology
Abstract
The Vapour Assisted Petroleum Extraction (VAPEX) process, a newly developed Enhanced Heavy Oil Recovery process, is a promising EOR method for certain conventional non-fractured heavy oil sandstone reservoirs such as those in Canada, but its applicability on low permeable Naturally Fractured Reservoirs (NFR) such as those in the Middle East and Persian Gulf still remained as a question. Previous studies show that the foremost concern for VAPEX application in the case of NFR is the low non-economical production rates. The aim of the present work is to study the effect of fractures geometrical properties such as orientation (vertical or horizontal), density, spacing, location and networking on...
Experimental investigation of nano-biomaterial applications for heavy oil recovery in shaly porous models: A pore-level study
, Article Journal of Energy Resources Technology, Transactions of the ASME ; Volume 137, Issue 1 , August , 2014 ; 01950738 (ISSN) ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Vossoughi, M ; Sharif University of Technology
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
2014
Abstract
Application of nano or biomaterials for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) has been recently much attended by petroleum engineering researchers. However, how would be the displacement mechanisms and how would change the recovery efficiency while nano and biomaterials are used simultaneously is still an open question. To this end, a series of injection tests performed on micromodel containing shale strikes. Three types of biomaterials including biosurfactant, bioemulsifier, and biopolymer beside two types of nanoparticles including SiO2 and TiO2 at different concentrations were used as injection fluids. The microscopic as well as macroscopic efficiency of displacements were observed from analysis of...
Simulation analysis of the effects of fractures' geometrical properties on the performance of vapour extraction process
, Article Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology ; Volume 49, Issue 7 , 2010 , Pages 47-59 ; 00219487 (ISSN) ; Bahonar, M ; Sharif University of Technology
2010
Abstract
Vapour extraction (VAPEX), a newly developed heavy oil recoveiy (HOR) method, has been extensively studied, both theoretically and experimentally, in conventional sandstone models. However, the applicability of this process to naturally fractured reservoirs has not yet been addressed. The objective of this work is to evaluate the effects of fractures' geometrical properties, such as orientation, length of extension, discontinuity in both the upper well region (UWR) and the far well region (FWR) and vertical fracture location on VAPEX performance. Additionally, the effects of horizontal and vertical fracture dispersion in various density, dispersion scheme and networking on the performance of...
Phase behavior assessment of deposition compound (asphaltene) in heavy oil
, Article 11th ADIPEC: Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, 10 October 2004 through 13 October 2004 ; 2004 , Pages 783-799 ; Nikookar, M ; Ganbarnezhad, R ; Pazuki, G. R ; Hosienbeigi, H. R ; Sharif University of Technology
Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)
2004
Abstract
In this paper, the soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK) Eos is modified based on perturbation theory. The parameter of the new cubic equation of state considered reduced temperature and a centric factor dependent. The average of absolute deviations of predicted vapor pressure, vapor volume and saturated liquid density of 30 pure compounds are 0.814.2.G14 and 5.814%, respectively. Also comparison with the new equation of vaporization of pure compounds are given. The florry-Hugines (FH) model is similarly modified by an adjustable parameter. This parameter is defined based on molecular weight of asphaltene to molecular weight of heavy oil ratio in form of polynomial function. The phase behavior of...
Application of fast-SAGD in naturally fractured heavy oil reservoirs: A case study
, Article SPE Middle East Oil and Gas Show and Conference, MEOS, Proceedings, Manama ; Volume 3 , March , 2013 , Pages 1946-1953 ; 9781627482851 (ISBN) ; Hashemi Kiasari, H ; Alizadeh, N ; Mighani, S ; Kamari, A ; Baker Hughes ; Sharif University of Technology
2013
Abstract
Steam injection process has been considered for a long time as an effective method to exploit heavy oil resources. Over the last decades, Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) has been proved as one of the best steam injection methods for recovery of unconventional oil resources. Recently, Fast-SAGD, a modification of the SAGD process, makes use of additional single horizontal wells alongside the SAGD well pair to expand the steam chamber laterally. This method uses fewer wells and reduces the operational cost compared to a SAGD operation requiring paired parallel wells one above the other. The efficiency of this new method in naturally fractured reservoir is not well understood....
Experimental and numerical investigation of polymer flooding in fractured heavy oil five-spot systems
, Article Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering ; Volume 108 , 2013 , Pages 370-382 ; 09204105 (ISSN) ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Masihi, M ; Rashtchian, D ; Sharif University of Technology
2013
Abstract
Microscopic and macroscopic displacements of polymer flooding to heavy oil at various levels of salinity and connate water saturation have been investigated. Both oil-wet and water-wet conditions in fractured five-spot micromodel systems, initially saturated with the heavy crude oil are utilized. The primary contribution is to examine the role of salinity, wettability, connate water, and fracture geometry in the recovery efficiency of the system. The microscopic results revealed that the increase in the connate water saturation decreases the oil recovery, independent of the wettability conditions. Moreover, the increase in salinity of the injected fluids lowers the recovery efficiency due to...
A new empirical correlation for predicting effective molecular diffusivity of gas-heavy oil-porous media systems
, Article Special Topics and Reviews in Porous Media ; Volume 3, Issue 1 , 2012 , Pages 23-33 ; 21514798 (ISSN) ; Mirjordavi, N ; Kazemeini, M ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Sharif University of Technology
2012
Abstract
Molecular diffusivity is an essential parameter for modeling of mass transfer in enhanced oil recovery processes. However, experimentally determined diffusivities for light gas-heavy oil systems in the presence of porous media are relatively rare. A few correlations are available in the literature that predict diffusivity of gases into heavy oil in presence of porous media. In this work the pressure-decay method was applied to obtain effective molecular diffusion of CO 2, CH 4 and N 2-heavy oil systems in both bulk and porous media systems at different temperatures. The diffusivity of gases in heavy oil was determined by matching the numerically calculated pressures to the measured data. A...
Comparison of ultrasonic wave radiation effects on asphaltene aggregation in toluene-pentane mixture between heavy and extra heavy crude oils
, Article Journal of Energy Resources Technology, Transactions of the ASME ; Volume 134, Issue 2 , 2012 ; 01950738 (ISSN) ; Najafi, I ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Amani, M ; Sharif University of Technology
2012
Abstract
In this study, it is aimed to compare the efficiency of ultrasonic wave technology on asphaltene flocculation inhibition of crude oils with different American Petroleum Institute (API) gravities. A set of confocal microscopy test is performed and a series of statistical analysis is done. According to the results of this study, there is an optimum radiation time for both crudes at which the viscosity and the flocculation rate of asphaltenic crude oils reduces to its minimum. This optimum appears at later times of radiation for extra heavy oil. Also, it is shown that the rate of changes in the properties measured in this study is sharper for extra heavy crude oil. It could be concluded that...
Experimental investigation of asp flooding in fractured heavy oil five-spot systems
, Article 74th European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers Conference and Exhibition 2012 Incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2012: Responsibly Securing Natural Resources, 4 June 2012 through 7 June 2012 ; 2012 , Pages 3924-3928 ; 9781629937908 (ISBN) ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Masihi, M ; Rashtchian, D ; Sharif University of Technology
European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, EAGE
2012
Abstract
Although alkaline-surfactant-polymer flooding is proved to be efficient for oil recovery from heavy oil reservoirs, the displacements mechanism/efficiency of this process in fractured systems needs to more discussion, especially in five-spot patterns. In this work, several ASP flooding test were performed on fractured micromodels which were initially saturated with heavy oil at constant flow rate and different fracture geometrical characteristics conditions. The ASP solutions are constituted from 5 polymers i.e. four synthetic polymers include three hydrolyzed polyacrylamide with different molecular weight as well as a non-hydrolyzed polyacrylamide and a biopolymer, 2 surfactants i.e. a...
The operational and reservoir parameters influencing the performance of top-down in situ combustion in fractured reservoirs: 2D block-scale simulation of networked fractures
, Article Petroleum Science and Technology ; Volume 30, Issue 3 , 2011 , Pages 256-270 ; 10916466 (ISSN) ; Kharrat, R ; Vossoughi, S ; Sharif University of Technology
2011
Abstract
Top-down in situ combustion (ISC) involves the stable propagation of a combustion front from the top vertical injector to the bottom horizontal producer. With the exception of laboratory studies of conventional sandstones, no application of the process in fractured carbonates has been addressed. The aim of the present work is to study ISC in the presence of a system of networked fractures using a thermal reservoir simulator from the Computer Modeling Group (CMG; Calgary, AB, Canada). The performance of ISC is compared with nonfractured system under similar conditions. To obtain more realistic results, a history-matched and validated combustion model of an Iranian naturally fractured...
An experimental investigation of fracture physical properties on heavy oil displacement efficiency during solvent flooding
, Article Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization and Environmental Effects ; Volume 33, Issue 21 , 2011 , Pages 1993-2004 ; 15567036 (ISSN) ; Dehghan, A. A ; Kharrat, R ; Ghazanfari, M. H ; Sharif University of Technology
2011
Abstract
This work is concerned with the role of geometrical properties of fractures on oil displacement efficiency during solvent injection to heavy oil. Here, a series of solvent injection processes were conducted on one-quarter five-spot fractured micromodels that were initially saturated with the heavy oil, at a fixed flow rate condition. The oil recovery was measured using image analysis of the continuously provided pictures. The results show that for the range of experiments performed here, the maximum oil recovery happens at a fracture orientation angle of 45 degrees. Also, increasing the number of fractures leads to a higher oil recovery factor by solvent in 45 degrees, while it does not...