Tyumen State University scientists have developed a unique method for modeling in-situ combustion, which will increase the production of hard-to-recover oil. Innovation is especially relevant for deposits with high viscosity of raw materials, where traditional methods are not effective enough.
The main problem with the production of high-viscosity oil is its difficult extraction from the reservoirs. The new technology uses the in situ combustion method, in which air is pumped into the oil reservoir. This creates the conditions for a controlled combustion process that releases thermal energy. As a result, thermal destruction of heavy oil components occurs and a significant decrease in its viscosity, which facilitates the movement of raw materials to production wells.
The economic efficiency of the method is especially evident when working with fields where oil has an abnormally high viscosity. To optimize the technological process, scientists proposed a simplified one-dimensional model that predicts the behavior of the oxidizer, oil, water and combustion products in the porous medium of the formation. This allows the technology to be adapted to specific geological conditions.
The researchers’ future plans include calibrating the model based on field research data and its consistent improvement. Estimated specialists, the implementation of this development can significantly increase the oil recovery factor in complex fields.
Statistics confirm the relevance of the problem: in 2024, the output of dark petroleum products in Russia will not exceed 35% of the total refining volume. New technology from Tyumen University offers a scientifically based solution to increase the efficiency of production of hard-to-recover reserves, which is especially important in the context of depletion of easily accessible deposits.
The material was prepared with the support of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science as part of the Decade of Science and Technology.
Source: @cdutek
Photo: gazeta.ru
