Optimization of Solvent Aided Process

Abstract The Solvent Aided Process (SAP), described previously by the authors, is an improvement to SAGD that promises to enhance the economics of bitumen/heavy oil recovery projects and reduce their impact on the environment. In SAP, a small amount of hydrocarbon solvent (such as a low molecular weight alkane) is introduced as an additive to the injected steam during SAGD. The viscosity of the oil thus is reduced due to solvent dilution in addition to heating. SAP holds the promise of significantly improving the energy efficiency of SAGD, thus reducing the heat requirement. Encana's field trials of SAP, discussed elsewhere, have shown the practical upside of this process. This paper discusses two conceptual optimizations of SAP. SAP reduces the effective steam-oil ratio of SAGD. However this comes at a cost, as a part of the injected solvent is retained in the reservoir and lost in terms of economics. The smaller this cost is, the better are the economics of SAP. In this paper, the merits and drawbacks of using two alternate substances - SO2 and olefinated light alkanes - as solvents are discussed. Bottom-up SAP is a special geometrical configuration of SAP, discussed before. In this variant of the SAP process, bitumen recovery progresses from the bottom to the top of the reservoir, and employs injector and producer wells that are spaced horizontally apart rather than being in the same vertical plane. For large horizontal spacing between the injector and producer in a well pair, rates are low. On the other hand, for small spacing the capital associated with the project is high. This paper explores the optimal horizontal spacing between the wells in a Bottom-up SAP well pair. Introduction SAGD relies primarily on heat supplied to the reservoir by steam for reduction in the viscosity of oil1. In SAP2,3,4,5, solvent dilution is also taken advantage of to aid this viscosity reduction. The result is an enhanced rate of oil production and recovery leading to superior economics with lower energy intensity and impact on environment. To further improve the economics and energy efficiency of the process, in this paper two optimizations of SAP are discussed, namely, employment of inexpensive solvents and optimal configuration of Bottom-up SAP. SAP economics depend on the extent of the residual solvent in the reservoirs3 such that the higher the inventory and cost of the un-recovered solvent, the less advantageous to carry out SAP. In principle any of the commercially available light alkanes (e.g., Propane, Butane or Natural Gas condensate) can be employed for SAP. However these liquids tend to be expensive due to their multiple uses in the industry and their price generally varies in synch with the light sweet crude. This fact naturally offers an opportunity to further improve the economics of SAP by looking for other solvents and the discussion below describes two such alternate, inexpensive solvents.