Insights on In Situ Combustion Modeling Based on a Ramped Temperature Oxidation Experiment for Oil Sand Bitumen

Lyudmila Khakimova, Evgeny Popov and Alexey Cheremisin ()
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Lyudmila Khakimova: Center for Hydrocarbon Recovery, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Sikorsky Street 11, 121205 Moscow, Russia
Evgeny Popov: Center for Hydrocarbon Recovery, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Sikorsky Street 11, 121205 Moscow, Russia
Alexey Cheremisin: Center for Hydrocarbon Recovery, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Sikorsky Street 11, 121205 Moscow, Russia

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: The ramped temperature oxidation (RTO) test is a screening method used to assess the stability of a reservoir for air-injection Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) and to evaluate the oxidation behavior of oil samples. It provides valuable kinetic data for specific cases. The RTO test allows for the analysis of various characteristics, such as temperature evolution, peak temperatures, oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide generation, oxidation and combustion front velocity, recovered and burned hydrocarbons, and residual coke. The adaptation of RTO experiments to in situ combustion (ISC) modeling involves validation and history matching based on numerical simulation of RTO tests, using 3D digital models of experimental setup. The objective is to estimate the kinetic parameters for a customized reaction model that accurately represents ISC. Within this research, the RTO test was provided for bitumen samples related to the Samara oil region. A 3D digital model of the RTO test is constructed using CMG STARS, a thermal hydrodynamic simulator. The model is designed with multiple layers and appropriate heating regimes to account for uncertainties in the experimental setup and to validate the numerical model. The insulation of the setup affects radial heat transfers and helps to control the observed temperature levels. The modified traditional reaction model incorporates thermal cracking of Asphaltenes, low-temperature oxidation (LTO) of Asphaltenes and Maltenes, and high-temperature combustion of coke. Additionally, the model incorporates high-temperature combustion of light oil in the vapor phase, which is generated through Asphaltenes cracking and LTO reactions.

Keywords: enhanced oil recovery; ramped temperature oxidation; in situ combustion; kinetic model; bitumen reservoir (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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