Multi-stage hydraulic fracturing and radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation for heavy-oil production

Abstract

Numerical model results of heavy oil production through multi-stage radio-frequency electromagnetic (RF EM) heating from a well after fracturing and re-fracturing operations are given in this paper. We consider the inflow of heavy oil to the well through two perpendicular fractures filled with propping agent. The conductivity of fractures is substantially greater than the conductivity of the reservoir but the dielectric and thermal properties of the reservoir and fractures are considered identical. In the expression used for heat distribution, a correction for near-field is introduced, which is shown to improve the accuracy of the temperature distribution around the well. The calculations for different powers of EM emitters and length of fractures are also considered and compared to the base case (cold oil) production.