In-situ solvents generation enhanced steam assisted gravity drainage (ISSG-SAGD): A low carbon and high-efficiency approach for heavy oil recovery

Simin Yang, Siyuan Huang, Qi Jiang, Guanchen Jiang, Qicheng Liu, Zhongyuan Wang and Ruxiang Gong

Energy, 2024, vol. 291, issue C

Abstract: The primary bottleneck in heavy oil production lies in the significant energy consumption and CO2 emissions associated with steam injection for recovery. To address this challenge, we propose the ISSG-SAGD (in-situ solvent generation enhanced steam assisted gravity drainage) technique. The recovery mechanisms and operational strategies are investigated using a numerical simulation with an Athabasca bitumen reservoir model, affirming the considerable environmental and economic potential of ISSG-SAGD. The results demonstrate that ISSG-SAGD integrates the recovery mechanisms of both SAGP (steam and gas push) and ES-SAGD (expanding solvent SAGD). Moreover, employing cyclic steam injection, maintaining low operating pressure, and initiating ISSG-SAGD at an early stage enable a 33.79 % reduction in steam consumption, a 39 % decrease in average carbon intensity, a 5.40 % increase in oil production, and a 61.28 % rise in net present value compared to conventional SAGD. This study proves that the ISSG-SAGD approach offers a sustainable and efficient alternative for future heavy oil recovery endeavors, addresses the challenges of high energy consumption and carbon emissions, and paves the way towards a green and economically viable future for the heavy oil development.

Keywords: Low carbon emissions; Improve SAGD efficiency; In-situ solvents generation; EOR; Solar energy utilization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:291:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224001415

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.130370

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