New Developments in Streamflood Modeling

摘要

Using recent results from fine-scale,multi-pattern, geostatistical models of the Kern River field,California,this paper reviews key issues related to steamflood modeling and shows that fine-grid models depict the near-vertical steam override,and corroborates that heavy oil steamflooding is not a displacement process;rather the oil drains by gravity. Further,models with unconfined boundaries result in steam zone pressures similar to those observed in field.Including the common operating practice of cyclic steaming of producers at early time reduces pressures and accelerates steam breakthrough time and recovery.