Emerging challenges and potential futures for thermally enhanced oil recovery

• Published in: Journal of petroleum science & engineering 2012-11, Vol.98-99, p.130-143
• Main Author: Kovscek, A.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Combustion; Crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products; Crude oil, natural gas, oil shales producing equipements and methods; Economics; Energy; enhanced oil recovery; Enhanced oil recovery methods; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Oil recovery; Prospecting and production of crude oil, natural gas, oil shales and tar sands; Recovery; Rock; Sand; solar EOR; solar heat; Steam generation; steam injection; unconventional resources; Wettability
• ISSN: 0920-4105; 1873-4715
• DOI: 10.1016/j.petrol.2012.08.004

Thermal recovery, and specifically steam injection, is arguably the most successful technique for enhancing oil recovery implemented to date. Heat thins heavy oils reducing viscosity, improving producibility substantially, and shifts rock wettability to conditions more favorable for oil recovery. While thermal recovery is typically applied to heavy and viscous oils in sand matrices, thermal techniques are also applicable to lighter oils and to more heterogeneous formations. Because most thermal oil production is achieved today using steam generated on the surface by burning natural gas, thermal recovery has an environmental footprint that is larger when compared to conventional oil production. The relatively large surface footprint, water demand, and carbon dioxide emissions from steam generation have all emerged as challenges for thermally enhanced oil production. This article outlines the current technical, economic, and environmental issues associated with thermal oil recovery. It also presents potential solutions and mitigation measures. Techniques such as solar heat to displace fossil fuels for steam generation, in-situ combustion, and downhole heat generation have great potential as next-generation thermal recovery methods. ► The primary mechanisms of thermal recovery are reviewed. ► The carbon dioxide emissions associated with thermal recovery are reviewed. ► Alternative methods for heating (as opposed to steam) are described. ► The size of the heavy-oil and bitumen resource is discussed.