Improved Oil and Gas Recovery from Difficult to Exploit Reservoirs

这项研究计划旨在提高对油气开采过程中涉及的储集层力学的了解，并将这种回收过程的影响范围扩大到目前技术无法开发的边际质量的矿藏。这包括稀薄的稠油地层、裂隙碳酸盐地层中的稠油矿床、含有底水层或顶水层的沥青矿床、因冷采而枯竭但仍含有高含油饱和度的稠油矿床以及甲烷水合物矿床。 这项研究涉及对提高采油过程中涉及的基本机理的实验和理论检验。为继续执行这一计划而提出的研究项目包括以下内容。 I.裂缝中的两相流动：我们研究了油水同时流动时，光滑壁和粗糙壁Hele-Shaw小室中的流型和相对渗透率特性。这项工作的继续工作将评估裂缝厚度、裂缝和流动方向、润湿性和壁面粗糙度对流动特性的影响。 二、多孔介质中的天然气水合物：该项目旨在研究多孔介质中水合物的形成和分解机制。为了测量水合物形成对水合物饱和砂层渗透率和导热系数的影响，正在进行充砂实验。这些数据对于模拟多孔介质中水合物的形成和分解是必要的。 三、轻烃在重油中的扩散系数：该项目涉及在高温和压力下测量轻烃在重油中的扩散系数。重点是改进这类测量的实验技术，并使用改进后的技术来研究浓度对扩散系数的影响。该项目旨在为该行业提供加拿大重油中测量的扩散系数的广泛数据库。

This research program is aimed at improving the understanding of reservoir mechanics involved in oil and gas recovery processes and extending the reach of such recovery processes to deposits of marginal quality that are not exploitable with current technology. These include thin heavy oil formations, heavy oil deposits in fractured carbonate formations, bitumen deposits containing bottom or top water zones, heavy oil deposits that have been depleted by cold production but still contain high oil saturation and deposits of methane hydrates. This research involves experimental and theoretical examination of basic mechanisms involved in improved oil recovery processes. The research projects proposed for the continuation of this program include the following. i. Two-Phase Flow in Fractures: We have studied the flow patterns and relative permeability characteristics in smooth-walled and rough-walled Hele-Shaw cells during simultaneous flow of oil and water. The proposed continuation of this work will evaluate the effects of fracture thickness, fracture and flow orientation, wettability and wall roughness on flow characteristics. ii. Gas Hydrates in Porous Media: This project is aimed at examining the mechanics of hydrate formation and decomposition in porous media. Experiments are being conducted in sand-packs to measure the effects of hydrate formation on permeability and thermal conductivity of hydrate saturated sand beds. This data is needed for modeling the formation and decomposition of hydrates in porous media. iii. Diffusivity of Light Hydrocarbons in Heavy Oil: This project involves measurements of diffusivity of light hydrocarbons in heavy oils at elevated temperatures and pressures. The focus has been to improve the experimental techniques for such measurements and to use the improved techniques for investigating the effect of concentration on diffusivity. The project aims to provide the industry an extensive database of measured diffusivities in Canadian heavy oils.