APPLICATION OF MICROWAVES FOR THERMAL EOR METHODS
Loading...
Date
2023-04-25
Authors
Sartayev, Zaur
Mustakhimov, Dias
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
School of Mining and Geosciences
Abstract
Heavy oil reservoirs represent about 70% of the total oil reservoirs. EOR methods must be
applied due to the low primary recovery of heavy oil reservoirs. The low primary recovery of these
reservoirs is based on the viscosity of the heavy oil. Thermal EOR methods are the best to apply
to extract more heavy oil. On-site combustion, gravity drainage with steam, and cyclic steam
injection are the most famous thermal EOR methods. However, there will always be a demand for
more productive methods of improving production with lower usage costs. Moreover, the growing
concern about the environmental component of oil production may prompt the need to look for
more suitable and profitable ways. One of these methods is electromagnetic heating, which can be
even more efficient.
This study compared the microwave heating method with the conventional thermal
method. The effects of the microwave heating method on the viscosity of heavy oil and temperature
alteration were analyzed. In addition, the effects of microwave power and water saturation were
investigated on the impact of production efficiency using the experiment. From the experimental
results, the microwave heating method gave better results in viscosity reduction. Overall, a higher
power level showed a higher temperature alteration with a higher reduction in viscosity. In
addition, higher water saturation gave higher results in temperature; however, from the efficiency
side, the best choice for water saturation was identified, which is 10%.
Description
Keywords
Type of access: Open Access, Microwaves, Thermal EOR Methods
Citation
Sartayev, Z. Mustakhimov, D. (2023). Application of Microwaves for Thermal EOR Methods. School of Mining and Geosciences