New Findings on Heatloss of Superheated Steam Transmitted Along the Wellbore and Heating Enhancement in Heavy Oil Reservoirs

Abstract At the conclusion of several cycles conventional saturated steam huff and puff in heavy oil reservoirs, the heating radius are typically only 20–30m as it went through successive saturated steam huff and puff. The heating scope can't be enlarged by continuing saturated steam huff and puff any more. However, superheated steam huff and puff as a additional heavy oil recovery significantly increased heating radius of saturated steam huff and puff. Conventional saturated steam huff and puff theory is not applicable for superheated steam. In this study, superheat steam heat transmission mathematical models was established by three laws such as the law of conservation of mass, the theorem of momentum and the law of conservation of energy, thermodynamics and fluid flow theories. Based on models, the parameters such as temperature, dryness, pressure, degree of superheat, heat loss along the wellbore were calculated. This work analysis the superior properties of superheated steam and bring forward superiority of superheated steam huff and puff to effectively develop heavy oil reservoirs in recovery mechanisms, including simulation studies, and current pilot test effects.