Application of In-situ combustion for heavy oil production in China: A Review

In China, heavy oil reservoirs face several production challenges: most of the heavy oil reservoirs have already been in the middle or last stage of steam stimulation, and the throughput effect has deteriorated significantly; even though steam flooding has been widely applied in shallow reservoir, steam flooding technology suitable for medium-deep reservoir is still in the experimental stage; meanwhile, for ultra-heavy oil reservoir, a rapid decline in production is observed by utilizing conventional steam injection. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new technologies to replace steam floodingin order to enhance oil recovery of heavy oil reservoirs. In-situ combustion has been proved as a relatively effective technology for heavy oil production. In recent years, several field tests have been conducted in Shengli, Liaohe and Xinjiang oil regions, and the results proved that the feasibility of in-situ combustion technology for heavy oil reservoirs in China. This review paper introducesadvantages, adaptability, and developments of in-situ combustion technology for heavy oil reservoirs in China.