ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Investigation of the effect of a high-speed steam jet on viscous oil using the SAGD method

Kadyrzhan Zaurbekov, Askar Syzdykov, Seitzhan Zaurbekov, and Jamilyam Ismailova

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Satbayev University, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan

E-mail: zaur.kadyrzhanov@gmail.com

Received: 16 February 2024  Accepted: 23 March 2024

Abstract:

The article studies the effect of a high-speed steam jet on high-viscosity oil to reduce oil viscosity and increase fluidity. The paper is focused on the study of the effect of steam temperature on the speed of the oil sludge and impurities flotation process. In this study, a new method is proposed that makes full use of the ultrasonic steam velocity (Mach 1), which can significantly accelerate the process of steam exposure to high-viscosity oil and reduce the time spent on reducing the viscosity of oil and giving it fluidity. This article presents the results of laboratory and experimental studies of the effect of a high-speed steam jet on high-viscosity oil from the Uzen field. Based on the conducted experimental studies, it is shown that at a steam jet velocity of at least Mach 1 (333 m/s) acting on high-viscosity oil, the temperature of the medium increases 3 times during 1 h of exposure, liquefaction occurs, and the time for oil to reach a state of fluidity is significantly reduced. The results have wide applications for increasing oil recovery using steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and collecting high-viscosity oils at storage facilities and bottling sites.

Keywords: Thermal effect; Steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) method; Density; Temperature; Glycerin

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-024-03436-z

Chemical Papers 78 (8) 4867–4873 (2024)