Study of the Failure Mechanism of an Integrated Injection-Production String in Thermal Recovery Wells for Heavy Oil

Wei Zhang, Deli Gao (), Yigang Liu, Jianhua Bai and Cheng Wang
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Wei Zhang: College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
Deli Gao: College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
Yigang Liu: China National Offshore Oil Corporation China Ltd., Tianjin Branch, Tianjin 300459, China
Jianhua Bai: China National Offshore Oil Corporation China Ltd., Tianjin Branch, Tianjin 300459, China
Cheng Wang: China National Offshore Oil Corporation China Ltd., Tianjin Branch, Tianjin 300459, China

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: The integrated injection-production string is the core tool used in thermal recovery wells for heavy oil, the mechanical behavior of which is complex due to the coupling effect of downhole temperature and pressure and the load induced by steam huff and puff operations. In this paper, an analysis model that calculates the temperature and pressure field during steam huff and puff operations has been established based on the basic principles of energy conservation and heat transfer. Then, the force distribution and strength check of the integrated injection-production string were analyzed. The fatigue damage of the string was evaluated by considering dynamic loads during the injection process. The corrosion life of the string was predicted. Finally, the failure mechanism of the integrated injection-production string in thermal recovery wells for heavy oil was illustrated. The results showed that the strength of the string and vibration fatigue are not the main causes of failure, but corrosion is the main reason for string failure. The residual strength of the corroded string was greatly reduced, which is the fundamental reason for the failure of the string. This paper is of guiding significance to the optimization of design and safety evaluations of the integrated injection-production string in thermal recovery wells for heavy oil.

Keywords: heavy oil; thermal recovery well; integrated injection-production string; downhole tubular mechanics; failure mechanism (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
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