Issues of bitumen recovery by Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage in reservoirs with high solution gas-oil ratio

Authors: Tair R. Ibatullin (Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas)

Paper considers an issue of gas-blanket development at the edge of the steam chamber in SAGD recovery of bitumen. It was shown that evolved methane gas has a detrimental effect on heat transfer from water steam to bitumen, hence it reduces thermal sweep and recovery performance. Co-injection of hydrocarbon solvents and steam can improve recovery process efficiency in cases of bitumen with high solution gas-oil ratio.