Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants
University of Calgary
$212,925.00
Development of a geomechanical model for shale and oil sand interactions with steam in heat stimulation processes
FY 2009-10
Summary
The process of creating an extensive steam chamber in oil sand formations to melt the bitumen and produce the oil by gravity drainage as in SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage) is seriously compromised by the presence of interbedded shale in oil sand. If the interbedded shale is damaged, then the injected steam can propagate effectively into the formation unhindered. To do this effectively it is imperative to understand the process thoroughly. In trying to model such a thermal oil recovery process, the correct description of the thermo-mechanical behavior of geomaterials under non-isothermal conditions is of prime importance. This project aims to develop a constitutive (stress-strain) model based on the physics established from a series of simple to advanced lab experimental testing with steam interaction. The model will be developed for the various mineralogical and microstructural characteristics of the material.
Once the constitutive model is determined, it will be implemented into STARS (a powerful commercial reservoir simulator) whereby various field strategies to break up interbedded shale can be analyzed within a high degree of confidence. This is aimed at improving both the oil production and the environmental performance of SAGD.
This project will 1) increase the knowledge base of shale/oil sand behaviors at elevated temperature and under steaming conditions, 2) establish a geomechanical model that can address the interbedded shale field problem with greater realism, 3) predict various controlling behavoirs in the field better than any current model, 4) provide industry with an improved version of STARS, a reservoir simulator used world wide.
Finally, the application of the geomechanical model created by this research will positively impact water usage in enhanced oil recovery by reducing the amount of water required for SAGD. Controlling the steaming process lessens the environmental footprint, reducing the cost of recovery and positively impacting the economic environment.
Program
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Recipient
Location
Alberta, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
356480-2007
Name nom
Wan, Richard
Department département
Civil Engineering
Organization id
11
Institution établissement
University of Calgary
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2009
Competition year année de concours
2007
Award amount
212925
Program id
CRDPJ
Program nane en
Collaborative Research and Development Grants
Program name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement coopérative
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
141
Committee name en
University/Industry
Committee name fr
Universités/industrie
Area of application code
405
Area of application group en
Environment
Area of application group fr
Environnement
Area of application en
Modelling and mathematical simulation of natural processes
Area of application fr
Modélisation et simulation mathématique des processus naturels
Research subject code
1002
Research subject group en
Civil engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie civil
Research subject en
Geotechnical engineering (including engineering geology)
Research subject fr
Géotechnique (y compris génie géologique)
Partie
1
Nb partie
5
Application title
Development of a geomechanical model for shale and oil sand interactions with steam in heat stimulation processes
Keyword
NA
Application summary
The process of creating an extensive steam chamber in oil sand formations to melt the bitumen and produce the oil by gravity drainage as in SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage) is seriously compromised by the presence of interbedded shale in oil sand. If the interbedded shale is damaged, then the injected steam can propagate effectively into the formation unhindered. To do this effectively it is imperative to understand the process thoroughly. In trying to model such a thermal oil recovery process, the correct description of the thermo-mechanical behavior of geomaterials under non-isothermal conditions is of prime importance. This project aims to develop a constitutive (stress-strain) model based on the physics established from a series of simple to advanced lab experimental testing with steam interaction. The model will be developed for the various mineralogical and microstructural characteristics of the material.
Once the constitutive model is determined, it will be implemented into STARS (a powerful commercial reservoir simulator) whereby various field strategies to break up interbedded shale can be analyzed within a high degree of confidence. This is aimed at improving both the oil production and the environmental performance of SAGD.
This project will 1) increase the knowledge base of shale/oil sand behaviors at elevated temperature and under steaming conditions, 2) establish a geomechanical model that can address the interbedded shale field problem with greater realism, 3) predict various controlling behavoirs in the field better than any current model, 4) provide industry with an improved version of STARS, a reservoir simulator used world wide.
Finally, the application of the geomechanical model created by this research will positively impact water usage in enhanced oil recovery by reducing the amount of water required for SAGD. Controlling the steaming process lessens the environmental footprint, reducing the cost of recovery and positively impacting the economic environment.
