CAPRI-Downhole Catalytic Process for Upgrading Heavy Oil: Produced Oil Properties and Composition

摘要

The level of in situ upgrading of heavy Wolf Lake oilrnachieved by CAPRI, the catalytic variant of the THAIrnprocess – ‘Toe-to-Heel Air Injection’, has beenrninvestigated by various analytical methods. Thesernincluded gas chromatography (GC), elemental analysis,rnsimulated distillation (SIMDIS), micro activity testrn(MAT), plus density and viscosity. The tests werernperformed on the oil produced from the CAPRI process,rnwhich was conducted in a semi-scaled 3-D combustionrncell. The tests employed a standard HDS catalyst, whichrnwas “gravel packed” around the horizontal producerrnwell, forming an annular radial inflow type reactor.rnAlthough the analytical measurements made werernnecessarily selective in their scope, they neverthelessrnprovide a good indication of what the potential may bernfor downhole upgrading in the field. CAPRI produces arn‘light oil’, characterized by a low viscosity of around 60rnmPas, or less. The produced oil is readily convertedrninto gasoline and diesel fractions, with a higherrnconversion (FCC) than that obtained with normal virginrnbitumen vacuum gas oil. Environmentally, there arernalso very significant potential benefits regarding in siturnremoval (and retention) of heavy metals, and reductionrnof sulphur in the oil.