In-Situ Combustion: Myths and Facts

Abstract

In-situ combustion (ISC) involves compression and injection of air into heavy/extraheavy oil reservoirs for enhancing production and recovery. Initially, ISC was very popular due to its high theoretical thermal efficiency, though more failures than successes in the 1990s made this process unpopular. It is a fact that it is now widely considered archaic. However, Suplacu de Barcau (Romania) and Balol-Santhal (India) ISC projects have brought the process back into focus. Performance of the Balol-Santhal-Bechraji over the last 25 years provides clarity to answer the question “Failure to enhance oil production and recovery by ISC: Myth or fact?” The author appreciates the views, decisions, and efforts of all global scientists/engineers/operators associated with the ISC process in the laboratory/field. Opinions and views presented in this paper are solely based on the author’s experience, which may be in line or may differ. The discovery of heavy oil northwest of the Cambay Basin, India, in the 1970s led to the initiation of research and development in thermal processes. The depth, rock, and fluid characteristics, drive mechanism, and semi-arid area led to the testing of ISC over steamflood in Balol. Laboratory findings are key to understanding the reaction kinetics of oil and process manifestations. Upgrading of oil is the key manifestation of ISC in the laboratory, but it is not seen in the field due to blending in long-distance displacement methodology. The involvement of laboratory personnel in design and surveillance plays an important role in the success of the project. Over the last 25 years, the Balol-Santhal ISC projects demonstrate the rejuvenation of declining fields with sustained enhanced oil production and an increase in recovery. Lessons of the Bechraji field indicate that process does not succeed in all reservoir settings. It is particularly suited to relatively clean, mobile heavy oil reservoirs with structural relief. Long-distance displacement of oil (vertical injector-vertical/horizontal producer spaced apart) is effective in a mobile oil reservoir. With low mobility oils, a short-distance oil displacement process using a pair of vertical injector and horizontal producer (horizontal well placed below the air injector) can be the preferred way for exploitation. This methodology has also the potential to capture upgraded oil. The process attracts more value when it is designed as operator friendly and flexible, integrating with gravity. Appropriate ignition types, continuous surveillance, maintaining optimum air injection rates, and re-engineering are important for the success of ISC. Success depends on the fabric and architecture of the reservoir, the way it is designed and implemented, and by integration of knowledge gained in the journey from laboratory to field with the process. It can be concluded that the perception of the ineffectiveness of ISC to enhance oil production and recovery from mobile heavy/extraheavy oil reservoirs cannot be generalized as a fact.