Stability of Steam-Plus-Nitrogen Displacements of Water in a Porous Medium. II. Final Report, February 1981-December 1982

摘要

Fingering and gravity override of a steam-plus-nitrogen mixture displacing water in a porous medium have been studied experimentally and theoretically. The experiments have been carried out in a transplant, bead-packed cell (39 cm x 19 cm x .64 cm) at about atmospheric pressure. Results of Stegemeier, Laumbach, and Volek could be used to scale to actual reservoir conditions. We discuss the conditions necessary to avoid counter flow of the gas and liquid phases. A theory of gravity override of steam displacing water has been developed. It has been compared with our experimental results and gives good agreement with the angle of front layover as a function of time. We have developed a computerized front tracking system to allow us to follow the time development of each Fourier component of a perturbation. The increased understanding of condensation-front stability and override will allow optimization of steam/nitrogen injection in enhanced-oil-recovery field projects. 9 figures. (ERA citation 08:043277)