Potential Evaluation on the Artificial Geothermal Energy of Post Steamed Heavy Oil Reservoirs

Abstract Steam injection process is usually the primary extraction method for heavy oil reservoirs. But, in recent decades, with the steam injection operation continues, most of the steamed heavy oil reservoirs have achieved a depleted status (residual oil zone). Meanwhile, for most post steamed heavy oil reservoirs, the average formation temperature can reach above 150℃. It indicates that they can be considered as a potential artificial geothermal energy source. In this work, those post steamed heavy oil reservoirs are proposed as a source of artificial geothermal energy, and the extraction potential is evaluated. A heavy oil reservoir simulation model is firstly constructed based on a geological model which involves a five-spot well pattern of steam flooding operation in Shengli oilfield, Sinopec. This model can be used to represent a depleted status of a steamed heavy oil reservoir. Subsequently, based on this five-spot well pattern of steam flooding, a geothermal heat extraction model is developed. In order to accurately evaluate the extraction potential of this artificial geothermal energy, the wellbore heat loss is also considered by using a discretized wellbore model. Thus, two different extraction methods of water injection and CO2 injection are simulated. Then, based on the simulation model, the factors that control the heat extraction rate in high temperature depleted heavy oil reservoirs are also discussed. Results show that a post steamed heavy oil reservoir can be a potential source of geothermal energy. By using the existing steam flooding well pattern, the initial investment is reduced, thus, a high-efficient development can be achieved. From the simulation results, it is found that the method of geothermal energy extraction in high temperature depleted heavy oil reservoir (165 ℃, 2 MPa) using CO2 can achieve a high-speed geothermal energy extraction process in the early stage (<1.5 years). In comparison, a method of water injection process performs better within a longer time period (>1.5 years). Simultaneously, it is found that the bottom-hole pressure, heat extraction time and CO2 injection rate can have the biggest impact on the heat extraction rate. Because of the high temperature condition, the post steamed heavy oil reservoirs can have a huge potential of heat mining. The technology of geothermal energy extraction can further enhance their development value and prolong the working life.