The mechanisms of thermal solidification agent promoting steam diversion in heavy oil reservoirs

At high cycles of steam huff&puff,oil distribution in reservoirs becomes stronger heterogeneity due to steam channeling.Thermal solidification agent can be used to solve this problem.Its solution is a lowviscosity liquid at normal temperature,but it can be solidified above 80℃.The plugging degree is up to 99%at 250℃.The sweep efficiency reaches 59.2%,which is 7.3%higher than pure steam injection.In addition,simultaneous injection of viscosity reducer and/or nitrogen foams can further enhance oil recovery.The mechanism of this technology depends on its strong plugging ability,which changes the flowing pattern of steam to effectively mobilize remaining oil.Viscosity reducer and nitrogen foams further expand the sweep range and extends the effective period.Therefore,thermal solidification agent can plug steam channeling paths and adjust steam flowing direction to significantly enhance oil recovery at high cycles of steam huff&puff.

Study of steam heat transfer enhanced by CO_(2) and chemical agents: In heavy oil production

Steam flooding with the assistance of carbon dioxide (CO_(2)) and chemicals is an effective approach for enhancing super heavy oil recovery. However, the promotion and application of CO_(2) and chemical agent-assisted steam flooding technology have been restricted by the current lack of research on the synergistic effect of CO_(2) and chemical agents on enhanced steam flooding heat transfer. The novel experiments on CO_(2)–chemicals cooperate affected steam condensation and seepage were conducted by adding CO_(2) and two chemicals (sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the betaine temperature-salt resistant foaming agent ZK-05200).According to the experimental findings, a “film” formed on the heat-transfer medium surface following the co-injection of CO_(2) and the chemical to impede the steam heat transfer, reducing the heat transfer efficiency of steam, heat flux and condensation heat transfer coefficient. The steam seepage experiment revealed that the temperature at the back end of the sandpack model was dramatically raised by 3.5–12.8 °C by adding CO_(2) and chemical agents, achieving the goal of driving deep-formation heavy oil. The combined effect of CO_(2) and SDS was the most effective for improving steam heat transfer, the steam heat loss was reduced by 6.2%, the steam condensation cycle was prolonged by 1.3 times, the condensation heat transfer coefficient was decreased by 15.5%, and the heavy oil recovery was enhanced by 9.82%. Theoretical recommendations are offered in this study for improving the CO_(2)–chemical-assisted steam flooding technique.

Organic matter transformation ratio, hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency and shale oil enrichment type in Chang 7_(3) shale of Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin, NW China

The major enrichment type of shale oil in the Chang 7_(3) shale of Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin is unknown.This paper analyzes the organic matter transformation ratio,hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency and roof/floor sealing conditions of the Chang 7_(3) shale,and evaluates the major enrichment type of shale oil in this interval.The average organic matter transformation ratio of the Chang 7_(3) shale is about 45%;in other words,more than 50%of the organic matters have not transformed to hydrocarbons,and the lower the maturity,the greater the proportion of untransformed organic matters.The cumulative hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency of the transformed hydrocarbon is 27.5% on average,and the total proportion of untransformed organic matters plus retained hydrocarbons is greater than 70%.The relative hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency of the Chang 7_(3) shale is 60%on average,that is,about 40% of hydrocarbons retain in the shale.The Chang 7_(3) shale corresponds to Chang 7_(1+2) and Chang 8 sandstones as the roof and floor,respectively,and is further overlaid by Chang 6 shale,where extensive low porosity and low permeability–tight oil reservoirs have formed in the parts with relatively good porosity and permeability.Moreover,the Chang 7_(3) shale is tested to be in a negative pressure system(the pressure coefficient of 0.80–0.85).Therefore,the roof/floor sealing conditions of the Chang 7_(3) shale are poor.The retained hydrocarbons appear mostly in absorbed status,with low mobility.It is concluded that the medium–high mature shale oil is not the major enrichment type of shale oil in the Chang 7_(3) shale,but there may be enrichment opportunity for shale oil with good mobility in the areas where the sealing conditions are good without faults and fractures and oil reservoirs are formed off Chang 7_(1+2),Chang 6 and Chang 8.Furthermore,low–medium mature shale oil is believed to have great potential and is the major enrichment type of shale oil in the Chang 7_(3) shale.It is recommended to prepare relevant in-situ conversion technologies by pilot test and figure out the resource availability and distribution.

Mechanism investigation of steam flooding heavy oil by comprehensive molecular characterization

Steam flooding is a widely used technique to enhance oil recovery of heavy oil.Thermal viscosity reduction and distillation effect are considered as two main displacement mechanisms in steam flooding process.However,the molecular composition understanding and contribution for oil production are still unclear.In this study,the composition analysis of the heavy oil was investigated in the core scale steam flooding process with the temperature from 120 to 280℃.The crude oil,produced oils and residual oils were characterized comprehensively by gas chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry.It is found that steam flooding preferentially extracts aromatics and remains more resins in the residual oil.Viscosity reduction is the dominant mechanism when steam is injected at a low temperature.Large molecular heteroatoms with high carbon number and high double bond equivalent(DBE)are eluted into the produced oil,while compounds with low carbon number and low DBE are remained in the residual oil.As the steam temperature rises,the increased distillation effect results in the extraction of light hydrocarbons from the residual oil to the produced oil.More small heteroatoms with low carbon number and low DBE enter into the produced oil,especially in the none water cut stage.The compositional difference of produced oils is characterized in DBE versus carbon number distribution of the N and O containing compound classes.This work uses a variety of composition analysis methods to clarify the steam flooding mechanism and provides a novel understanding of steam flooding mechanisms with various temperatures and production stages from the molecular perspective.

STUDY ON MASS TRANSFER IN SEPARATION OF ESSENTIAL OILS FROM PLANT MATERIALS BY STEAM DISTILLATION

The mass transfer model describing the separation of essential oils from plant materials has been proposed and the mass transfer coefficient has been obtained by fitting the present model to the experimental data for three kinds of plant materials. The validity of the model has been verified. To im' prove the vapor-solid contact, a mechanical agitator has been installed in the steam distillator. The effect of agitating rate on mass transfer coefficient has also been examined.

Preparation of Hydrogen through Catalytic Steam Reforming of Bio-oil

Hydrogen was prepared via catalytic steam reforming of bio-oil which was obtained from fast pyrolysis of biomass in a fluidized bed reactor.Influential factors including temperature,weight hourly space velocity(WHSV) of bio-oil,mass ratio of steam to bio-oil(S/B) as well as catalyst type on hydrogen selectivity and other desirable gas products were investigated.Based on hydrogen in stoichiometric potential and carbon balance in gaseous phase and feed,hydrogen yield and carbon selectivity were examined.The experimental results show that higher temperature favors the hydrogen selectivity by H2 mole fraction in gaseous products stream and it plays an important role in hydrogen yield and carbon selectivity.Higher hydrogen selectivity and yield,and carbon selectivity were obtained at lower bio-oil WHSV.In catalytic steam reforming system a maximum steam concentration value exists,at which hydrogen selectivity and yield,and carbon selectivity keep constant.Through experiments,preferential operation conditions were obtained as follows:temperature 800～850℃,bio-oil WHSV below 3.0 h-1,and mass ratio of steam to bio-oil 10～12.The performance tests indicate that Ni-based catalysts are optional,especially Ni/α-Al2O3 effective in the steam reforming process.

Effects of Temperature and Catalyst to Oil Weight Ratio on the Catalytic Conversion of Heavy Oil to Propylene Using ZSM-5 and USY Catalysts

It is useful for practical operation to study the rules of production of propylene by the catalytic conversion of heavy oil in FCC （fluid catalytic cracking）. The effects of temperature and C/O ratio （catalyst to oil weight ratio） on the distribution of the product and the yield of propylene were investigated on a micro reactor unit with two model catalysts, namely ZSM-5/Al2O3 and USY/Al2O3, and Fushun vacuum gas oil （VGO） was used as the feedstock. The conversion of heavy oil over ZSM-5 catalyst can be comparable to that of USY catalyst at high temperature and high C/O ratio. The rate of conversion of heavy oil using the ZSM-5 equilibrium catalyst is lower compared with the USY equilibrium catalyst under the general FCC conditions and this can be attributed to the poor steam ability of the ZSM-5 equilibrium catalyst. The difference in pore topologies of USY and ZSM-5 is the reason why the principal products for the above two catalysts is different, namely gasoline and liquid petroleum gas （LPG）, repspectively. So the LPG selectivity, especially the propylene selectivity, may decline if USY is added into the FCC catalyst for maximizing the production of propylene. Increasing the C/O ratio is the most economical method for the increase of LPG yield than the increase of the temperature of the two model catalysts, because the loss of light oil is less in the former case. There is an inverse correlation between HTC （hydrogen transfer coefficient） and the yield of propylene, and restricting the hydrogen transfer reaction is the more important measure in increasing the yield of propylene of the ZSM-5 catalyst. The ethylene yield of ZSM-5/A1203 is higher, but the gaseous side products with low value are not enhanced when ZSM-5 catalyst is used. Moreover, for LPG and the end products, dry gas and coke, their ranges of reaction conditions to which their yields are dependent are different, and that of end products is more severe than that of LPG. So it is clear that maximizing LPG and propylene and restricting dry gas and coke can be both achieved via increasing the severity of reaction conditions among the range of reaction conditions which LPG yield is sensitive to.

Aquathermolysis of conventional heavy oil with superheated steam

This paper presents a new aquathermolysis study of conventional heavy oil in superheated steam. A new high temperature autoclave was designed, where volume and pressure could be adjusted. Aquathermolysis was studied on two different conventional heavy oil samples under different reaction times and temperatures. Experimental results show that aquathermolysis does take place for conventional heavy oil. As reaction time increases, the oil viscosity reduces. However, the reaction will reach equilibrium after a certain period of time and won＇t be sensitive to any further reaction time any more. Analysis shows that, while resin and asphaltenes decrease, saturated hydrocarbons and the H/C ratio increase after reaction. The main mechanism of aquathermolysis includes hydrogenization, desulfuration reaction of resin and asphaltenes, etc.

Comparison of Constituents and Insecticidal Activities of Essential Oil from Artemisia lavandulaefolia by Steam Distillation and Supercritical-CO_2 Fluid Extraction

Essential oil was extracted from Artemisia lavandulaefolia DC.by steam distillation（SD） and supercritical-CO2 fluid extraction（SFE）,respectively.The constituents of the essentil oils extracted with those two methods were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（GC-MS） and insecticidal activities of the essential oils were evaluated,then the results were compared to assess their biological activity.Thirty-one compounds were identified in the essential oil extracted by SD,and its main components were eucalyptol,α,α,4-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-methanol and so on.Twenty-two compounds were identified for the essential oil extracted by SFE,and its main components were cyclodecene,n-hexadecanoic acid and so on.Six chemical compositions were all contained in the essential oils extracted by the two methods,i.e.,eucalyptol,α,α,4-trimethyl-3-cyclohexene-1-methanol,caryophyllene,[3aS-（3aα,3bβ,4β,7α,7aS）]-octahydro-7-methyl-3-methylene-4-（1-methylethyl）-1H-cyclopenta[1,3]cyclopropa-[1,2]benzene,nerolidol and（-）-Spathulenol.The fumigation toxicity of the essential oil obtained by means of SD to the adults of Sitophilus zeamais is significantly higher than that of the essential oil by means of SFE.The contact toxicity of the essential oil obtained by means of SFE to the adults of S.zeamais is higher than that of the essential oil obtained by means of SD,but the difference is not significant.

Low gas-liquid ratio foam flooding for conventional heavy oil

The recovery of heavy oil by water flooding is 10% lower than that of conventional crude oil, so enhanced oil recovery （EOR） is of great significance for heavy oil. In this paper, foam flooding with a gas-liquid ratio （GLR） of 0.2：1 for the Zhuangxi heavy oil （325 mPa.s at 55 ℃） was performed on cores, sand packs and plate model. In sand pack tests, polymer enhanced foam flooding increased oil recovery by 39.8%, which was 11.4% higher than that for alkali/surfactant/polymer （ASP） flooding under the same conditions. Polymer enhanced foam flooding in plate models shows that the low GLR foam flooding increased oil recovery by about 30%, even when the extended water flooding was finished at 90% water cut. Moreover, it was discovered by microscopy that foam was more stable in heavy oil than in light oil. These results confirm that low GLR foam flooding is a promising technology for displacing conventional heavy oil.

Steam Flooding after Steam Soak in Heavy Oil Reservoirs through Extended-reach Horizontal Wells

This paper presents a new development scheme of simultaneous injection and production in a single horizontal well drilled for developing small block reservoirs or offshore reservoirs. It is possible to set special packers within the long completion horizontal interval to establish an injection zone and a production zone. This method can also be used in steam flooding after steam soak through a horizontal well. Simulation results showed that it was desirable to start steam flooding after six steam soaking cycles and at this time the oil/steam ratio was 0.25 and oil recovery efficiency was 23.48%. Steam flooding performance was affected by separation interval and steam injection rate. Reservoir numerical simulation indicated that maximum oil recovery would be achieved at a separation section of 40-50 m at steam injection rate of 100-180 t/d; and the larger the steam injection rate, the greater the water cut and pressure difference between injection zone and production zone. A steam injection rate of 120 t/d was suitable for steam flooding under practical injection-production conditions. All the results could be useful for the guidance of steam flooding projects.

CO2 assisted steam flooding in late steam flooding in heavy oil reservoirs

To improve the oil recovery and economic efficiency in heavy oil reservoirs in late steam flooding,taking J6 Block of Xinjiang Oilfield as the research object,3D physical modeling experiments of steam flooding,CO2-foam assisted steam flooding,and CO2 assisted steam flooding under different perforation conditions are conducted,and CO2-assisted steam flooding is proposed for reservoirs in the late stage of steam flooding.The experimental results show that after adjusting the perforation in late steam flooding,the CO2 assisted steam flooding formed a lateral expansion of the steam chamber in the middle and lower parts of the injection well and a development mode for the production of overriding gravity oil drainage in the top chamber of the production well;high temperature water,oil,and CO2 formed stable low-viscosity quasi-single-phase emulsified fluid;and CO2 acted as a thermal insulation in the steam chamber at the top,reduced the steam partial pressure inside the steam chamber,and effectively improved the heat efficiency of injected steam.Based on the three-dimensional physical experiments and the developed situation of the J6 block in Xinjiang Oilfield,the CO2 assisted steam flooding for the J6 block was designed.The application showed that the CO2 assisted steam flooding made the oil vapor ratio increase from 0.12 to 0.16 by 34.0%,the oil recovery increase from 16.1%to 21.5%,and the final oil recovery goes up to 66.5%compared to steam flooding after perforation adjustment.

The Description of Oil Displacement Mechanism in Steam Injection of Multi-Field Synergy with Exergy Transfer

Steam injection is a most effective way for improving heavy oil recovery efficiency, and it has academic and practical significance for the mechanism of multi-field synergy oil displacement. Mechanism of “diversified” oil displacement which is obtained by traditional study methods in the exploitation territory of oil and gas fields has both respective roles and mutual cross shortages. To describe and analyze the displacement process of multi-field coupling with exergy transfer can simplify this kind of problem by introducing a unified goal-driving exergy. It needs to use the method of theoretical modeling, numerical simulation and experimental validation to study the basic law of exergy transfer in the oil displacement process of multi-field synergy, make a thorough research for the flooding process of steam injection with exergy transfer theory and reveal the oil displacement mechanism in steam injection of multi-field synergy. Thus the theory instruction and technical support can be provided to improve reservoirs producing degree and extraction ratio.

Crude oil cracking in deep reservoirs:A review of the controlling factors and estimation methods

The natural cracking of crude oils in deep reservoirs has gained great interest due to continuously increasing depth of petroleum exploration and exploitation.Complex oil compositions and surroundings as well as complicated geological evolutions make oil cracking in nature much more complex than industrial pyrolysis.So far,numerous studies,focused on this topic,have made considerable progress although there still exist some drawbacks.However,a comprehensive review on crude oil cracking is yet to be conducted.This article systematically reviews the controlling factors of oil cracking from six aspects,namely,oil compositions,temperature and time,pressure,water,minerals and solid organic matter.We compare previous experimental and modelling results and present new field cases.In the following,we evaluate the prevailing estimation methods for the extent of oil cracking,and elucidate other factors that may interfere with the application of these estimation methods.This review will be helpful for further investigations of crude oil cracking and provides a guide for estimation of the cracking extent of crude oils.

RNA/DNA Ratio and LPL and MyoD mRNA Expressions in Muscle of Oreochromis niloticus Fed with Elevated Levels of Palm Oil

Palm oil is of great potential as one of the sustainable alternatives to fish oil(FO) in aquafeeds.In this present study,five isonitrogenous diets(32% crude protein) with elevated palm oil levels of 0%,2%,4%,6% and 8% were used during an 8-week feeding trial to evaluate its effects on RNA/DNA ratio and lipoprotein lipase(LPL) and Myo D m RNA expressions in muscle of Oreochromis niloticus.The results showed that RNA,DNA content as well as ratio of RNA to DNA were significantly affected(P < 0.05),in each case the highest was recorded in fish group subjected to 6% palm oil level.There was a strong positive correlation between nucleic acid concentration(RNA concentration and RNA:DNA ratio) and specific growth rate(SGR),protein efficiency ratio(PER),while a negative correlation existed between nucleic acid concentration(RNA concentration and RNA:DNA ratio) and feed conversion ratio(FCR).The m RNA expressions of LPL and Myo D in muscle were not significantly affected by the different palm oil levels,although the highest expression was observed in fish fed with 6% palm oil level.There also existed a strong positive correlation between the m RNA expression of LPL,Myo D and SGR,PER,while their correlation with FCR was negative.In conclusion,elevated palm oil affected the RNA,DNA concentration as well as RNA/DNA ratio significantly,although the m RNA expression of LPL and Myo D were not affected significantly by elevated palm oil levels.

Effects of Use and Re-Use of Selected Vegetable Oils on the Proximate, Minerals, Mineral Ratios and Mineral Safety Index of Raw and Fried Plantain Chips: Note I

Raw and fried plantain chips obtained from the use and re-use of olive, refined palm olein and coconut oils were investigated for the proximate, mineral compositions, computed mineral ratios and the mineral safety index using standard analytical methods. For the selected oils (both use and re-use): first and second re-use and the fresh plantain chips (unprocessed plantain chips;UPC) had the following range results: proximate composition (%) (moisture: 8.20 - 12.3, crude protein: 9.70 - 8.60, fat: 7.40 - 12.9, fibre: 3.50 - 4.90, ash: 2.80 - 3.80 and carbohydrates: 63.5 - 64.8), % energy contributions (PEC: 63.4 - 70.8, PEF: 20.2 - 28.6, PEP: 8.03 - 9.66, UEDP: 4.49 - 5.08). The mineral composition (mg/100g) of the samples had the following greater than 80.0: Ca, Mg, K and P;Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn recorded values ranging between 1.00 and 4.00;Co, Se and Ni had their concentrations between 0.00 and 0.0363 whereas Pb and Cd recorded levels lower than 0.0006. In the mineral ratios, only K/(Ca + Mg) values fell within the acceptable ideal range. No MSI aberration was observed for the minerals from all the samples obtained from the various oils. The chi-square analysis showed that on parameter wise comparisons, there were no significant differences among the levels as treated based on the various oils except gross energy, Mg, K, P, Ca/P, Fe/Pb and K/Co. Also on pairwise comparison from linear correlation and regression, all these parameters were significantly different at r = 0.01 between the unprocessed and fried plantain samples: proximate, percentage energy distribution, mineral and mineral ratios. Generally, the first (day) frying showed fairly high nutrient concentration than the first and second re-use oils products. Therefore, for optimum nutrient preservation from fried plantain chips re-use of oil for frying should be sparingly allowed. However, olive showed highest level of nutrients in terms of proximate and mineral compositions.

Monitoring of steam chamber in steam-assisted gravity drainage based on the temperature sensitivity of oil sand

Thermosensitivity experiments and simulation calculations were conducted on typical oil sand core samples from Kinosis,Canada to predict the steam chamber development with time-lapse seismic data during the steam-assisted gravity drain-age(SAGD).Using an ultrasonic base made of polyether ether ketone resin instead of titanium alloy can improve the signal en-ergy and signal-to-noise ratio and get clear first arrival;with the rise of temperature,heavy oil changes from glass state(at-34.4℃),to quasi-solid state,and to liquid state(at 49.0℃)gradually;the quasi-solid heavy oil has significant frequency dis-persion.For the sand sample with high oil saturation,its elastic property depends mainly on the nature of the heavy oil,while for the sand sample with low oil saturation,the elastic property depends on the stiffness of the rock matrix.The elastic property of the oil sand is sensitive to temperature noticeably,when the temperature increases from 10℃ to 175℃,the oil sand samples decrease in compressional and shear wave velocities significantly.Based on the experimental data,the quantita-tive relationship between the compressional wave impedance of the oil sand and temperature was worked out,and the tem-perature variation of the steam chamber in the study area was predicted by time-lapse seismic inversion.

Evaluation of diagnostic ratios of medium and serious weathered oils from five different oil sources

Laboratory experiments were conducted to simulate oil weathering process, a medium to long term weathering process for 210-d, using samples collected from five different oil resources. Based on relative deviation and repeatability limit analysis about indexes of these samples, the results show there had been significant changes in diagnostic ratios among the initial and weathered samples of different oils during this process. Changes of selected n-alkane diagnostic ratios of all oil samples displayed more obviously than diagnostic ratios of terpanes,steranes and PAHs in this process. Almost all selected diagnostic ratios of terpanes, steranes and PAHs can be efficiently used in tracking sources of hydrocarbon pollution, differentiating from the n-alkane diagnostic ratios.In these efficient diagnostic ratios, only four ratios maintained good stability in the weathering processes and are more suitable because their relative deviation（RSD） are lower than 5%.

The Calculation of Heating Radius and Determination of Parameters in Heavy Oil Steam Stimulation

在稠油吞吐过程中,加热半径是热采中的重要指标,对注汽参数和生产制度起到了指导性作用。运用能量守恒原理,从热量注入方面考虑了蒸汽相变释放的气化潜热,从热量损失方面考虑井筒热量损失和顶底盖层热量损失,最终得到了新的加热半径计算公式。计算结果表明,加热半径受注汽参数、焖井时间、储层参数等因素影响,并系统阐述了岩层各物性参数的计算及选择方法。最后通过实例验证了该方法的计算值和试井解释出的值较为相符,为现场实际应用提供了可靠的方法。