How to Save Steam When Producing Extra-Viscous Oil
Tatneft has tested a set of energy-efficient solutions for the development of natural bitumen deposits.
Specialists of PJSC TATNEFT have developed innovative solutions to increase the efficiency of heavy oil production using thermal treatment. This reduces the carbon footprint. In 2015-2021 alone, new technologies were introduced at 460 bitumen wells of Tatneft PJSC. Oil News writes about this (Elena FILATOVA).
For the extraction of extra-viscous oil (SVO) the energy-consuming technology of steam-gravity effect (SGV) is used. It is based on steam injection using horizontal wells.
Tatneft conducted an analysis of the geology and features of the development of EHV fields. Based on the research results, effective methods of well development, production stimulation and oil recovery enhancement, drilling of horizontal sidetracks were created. The company learned to regulate the development of deposits by controlling the development of the steam chamber. The oilmen also proposed to inject steam only into the production well during the development of a couple of wells. This made it possible to save up to 40% of energy for steam generation.
In addition, solvents have begun to be used to improve the efficiency of HOS production. The technology of creating a hydrodynamic connection between horizontal wells in compacted and clayed reservoirs has found wide application. And thermal gel compositions made it possible to intensify the development of shallow deposits of natural bitumen.
“Specialists proposed selective water isolation of transitional (water-producing) formation zones using a high-temperature liquid packer,” said the deputy head of the department for the development of extra-viscous oil fields of the Field Development Department of JV Tatneft-Dobycha. Fanil AKHMETZYANOV. “Technologies for drilling horizontal sidetracks (SHD) and integrated regulation of field development based on geophysical and geochemical methods for monitoring the development of the steam chamber have been created.”
All this had a synergistic effect. The development of wells has accelerated, the oil production rate has increased many times over, and energy costs have decreased. In addition, the water cut of the wells has decreased. All this made it possible to increase the efficiency of production, to involve in the development of a large part of the reservoir, to revive the wells drilled in difficult geological conditions. Steam injection has been significantly reduced. This has reduced the environmental burden.
The proposed unique solutions can be applied at the SVN fields in the Samara and Sakhalin regions, the Krasnodar Territory, Eastern Siberia and other regions of the country, Akhmetzyanov believes. The collective work of Tatneft specialists has been nominated for the award of the Government of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology.
In 2022, the Devon news agency reported that Tatneft had implemented a digital platform for remote monitoring and control of wells for extra-viscous oil. The robotic program allows you to monitor and manage the entire stock of production and steam injection wells.
The company is also actively implementing resource-saving technologies. Thus, the unique associated-produced water treatment plants (APW) allowed Tatneft to save about 7.7 million cubic meters of fresh water per year during the production of HWH.
And the installation of condensing economizers in boiler houses can significantly reduce fuel consumption for steam generation, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
