Experimental study of combined thermal flooding in improving heavy oil flowability
China boasts abundant heavy oil resources, which is vital for its energy security. However, its heavy oil typically exhibits high viscosity, which severely hinders its flow and extraction. Enhancing heavy oil flowability is vital for its effective exploitation. This study independently developed a v...
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KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Energy Geoscience |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666759224000787 |
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| author | Yongqiang Tang Haitao Wang Qiaoyu Ge Suobing Zhang Zengmin Lun Xia Zhou Tao Ma |
| author_facet | Yongqiang Tang Haitao Wang Qiaoyu Ge Suobing Zhang Zengmin Lun Xia Zhou Tao Ma |
| author_sort | Yongqiang Tang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | China boasts abundant heavy oil resources, which is vital for its energy security. However, its heavy oil typically exhibits high viscosity, which severely hinders its flow and extraction. Enhancing heavy oil flowability is vital for its effective exploitation. This study independently developed a visualization experimental system and explored the mechanisms through which combined thermal flooding (a combination of heat, chemical agents and gas) enhances heavy oil flowability. Results indicate that combined thermal flooding, that is, synergistically integrating heat, chemical agents, and gas, can effectively enhance the recovery of heavy oil by improving its flowability. Its working mechanisms were explored from the aspects of thermal effects, emulsification, precursor film, profile control capacity, and CO2 solution and extraction effects. The emulsification was observed using a confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscope (CLSFM). Findings reveal that steam flooding can boost crude oil flowability by augmenting temperature, while a chemical system tends to produce low-viscosity oil-in-water emulsions, thus further aiding the flow of crude oil. During CO2 flooding, the solvent initially reduced crude oil viscosity and formed foamy oil, followed by the pronounced component separation of the produced fluids in the later stage. This demonstrates the effectiveness of CO2 in viscosity reduction and component extraction. Additionally, the results of interfacial tension experiments indicate that surfactants can reduce the heavy oil's interfacial tension, fostering the formation of nano-scale precursor films. They can also thicken these films and diminish their spreading resistance, thus accelerating residual oil removal and promoting heavy oil production. This study further elaborated the mechanisms behind the combined thermal flooding's efficiency in enhancing heavy oil recovery, offering a theoretical foundation for its broader application. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1eabcbbd88f64314891c2cc18e1474df |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2666-7592 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energy Geoscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-1eabcbbd88f64314891c2cc18e1474df2025-01-30T05:15:05ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Energy Geoscience2666-75922025-03-0161100363Experimental study of combined thermal flooding in improving heavy oil flowabilityYongqiang Tang0Haitao Wang1Qiaoyu Ge2Suobing Zhang3Zengmin Lun4Xia Zhou5Tao Ma6Corresponding author.; Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, SINOPEC, Beijing, 100083, ChinaPetroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, SINOPEC, Beijing, 100083, ChinaPetroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, SINOPEC, Beijing, 100083, ChinaPetroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, SINOPEC, Beijing, 100083, ChinaPetroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, SINOPEC, Beijing, 100083, ChinaPetroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, SINOPEC, Beijing, 100083, ChinaPetroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, SINOPEC, Beijing, 100083, ChinaChina boasts abundant heavy oil resources, which is vital for its energy security. However, its heavy oil typically exhibits high viscosity, which severely hinders its flow and extraction. Enhancing heavy oil flowability is vital for its effective exploitation. This study independently developed a visualization experimental system and explored the mechanisms through which combined thermal flooding (a combination of heat, chemical agents and gas) enhances heavy oil flowability. Results indicate that combined thermal flooding, that is, synergistically integrating heat, chemical agents, and gas, can effectively enhance the recovery of heavy oil by improving its flowability. Its working mechanisms were explored from the aspects of thermal effects, emulsification, precursor film, profile control capacity, and CO2 solution and extraction effects. The emulsification was observed using a confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscope (CLSFM). Findings reveal that steam flooding can boost crude oil flowability by augmenting temperature, while a chemical system tends to produce low-viscosity oil-in-water emulsions, thus further aiding the flow of crude oil. During CO2 flooding, the solvent initially reduced crude oil viscosity and formed foamy oil, followed by the pronounced component separation of the produced fluids in the later stage. This demonstrates the effectiveness of CO2 in viscosity reduction and component extraction. Additionally, the results of interfacial tension experiments indicate that surfactants can reduce the heavy oil's interfacial tension, fostering the formation of nano-scale precursor films. They can also thicken these films and diminish their spreading resistance, thus accelerating residual oil removal and promoting heavy oil production. This study further elaborated the mechanisms behind the combined thermal flooding's efficiency in enhancing heavy oil recovery, offering a theoretical foundation for its broader application.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666759224000787Combined thermal floodingHeavy oilEmulsionPrecursor film |
| spellingShingle | Yongqiang Tang Haitao Wang Qiaoyu Ge Suobing Zhang Zengmin Lun Xia Zhou Tao Ma Experimental study of combined thermal flooding in improving heavy oil flowability Energy Geoscience Combined thermal flooding Heavy oil Emulsion Precursor film |
| title | Experimental study of combined thermal flooding in improving heavy oil flowability |
| title_full | Experimental study of combined thermal flooding in improving heavy oil flowability |
| title_fullStr | Experimental study of combined thermal flooding in improving heavy oil flowability |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experimental study of combined thermal flooding in improving heavy oil flowability |
| title_short | Experimental study of combined thermal flooding in improving heavy oil flowability |
| title_sort | experimental study of combined thermal flooding in improving heavy oil flowability |
| topic | Combined thermal flooding Heavy oil Emulsion Precursor film |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666759224000787 |
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