A System to Evaluate the Performance of Insulated Tubulars in SteamInjection Wells

Abstract

A System To Evaluate The Performance Of Insulated Tubulars In Steam Injection Wells Stephen W. Eisenhawer; Stephen W. Eisenhawer Sandia National Laboratories Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Donald R. Johnson; Donald R. Johnson Sandia National Laboratories Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar William J. Vigil; William J. Vigil Sandia National Laboratories Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Robert F. Meldau; Robert F. Meldau Husky Oil Operations Ltd. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Doug Gilby Doug Gilby Husky Oil Operations Ltd. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the SPE California Regional Meeting, Bakersfield, California, March 1981. Paper Number: SPE-9911-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/9911-MS Published: March 25 1981 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Eisenhawer, Stephen W., Johnson, Donald R., Vigil, William J., Meldau, Robert F., and Doug Gilby. "A System To Evaluate The Performance Of Insulated Tubulars In Steam Injection Wells." Paper presented at the SPE California Regional Meeting, Bakersfield, California, March 1981. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/9911-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE Western Regional Meeting Search Advanced Search AbstractThe efficiency of a thermal enhanced oil recovery project with surface steam generation can be project with surface steam generation can be significantly increased by using insulated tubing in the injection wells. In order to evaluate the performance of various insulated tubulars it is necessary to obtain detailed temperature measurements and accurate heat loss data underactual in-field conditions. A system to provide this information has been developed and is in operation at the Aberfeldy steam pilot near Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada.Temperature measurements are made using thermocouples inside and on the outer wall of the injection string; on the outside of the casing and in a set of three 25 mm (1 in) ID thermowells attached to the casing. In addition, thin film heat flux sensors are bonded directly to the wall of the injection string. A probe system was designed to measure circumferential temperature variations in the thermowells at depths down to 100 m. This makes it possible to obtain detailed axial temperature profiles. Anticipated hot spots on an insulated joint will be detected in this manner, All of the data is recorded on a datalogger and detailed analysis is performed on a computer system,To date a short test has been carried out using bare 60 mm (2-3/8 in)injection string tubing. This bare string provides data for comparison with insulated strings. High resolution radial temperature profiles were obtained during this test. Variations in profiles were obtained during this test. Variations in heat loss from the string as functions of time and operating conditions have also been successfully monitored. Heat losses from the string during initial start up on the order of 1.0 Kw/n (1050 Btu/hr-ft) were observed with the heat flux sensors. This is in good agreement with the expected heat loss. The heat flux sensors make it possible to both simplify and improve the determination of insulated tubular thermal performance.IntroductionHeavy oils are an increasingly important resource in meeting American energy requirements. Much of this oil is at depths where conventional steam drive technology is inefficient. Bare tubing is normally used in shallow steam injection wells. In deeper wells, however the heat loss from bare tubing to the surroundings, primarily by radiation, becomes excessive. Not only is the injection string longer, but steam pressure and thus temperature is much higher. under pressure and thus temperature is much higher. under these conditions use of insulated tubing can result in substantial fuel savings as well as the delivery of higher quality steam to the reservoir.In 1978 Project DEEP STEAM was begun by the Department of Energy to develop the technology needed for the recovery of heavy oils (is less than 18 API) at depths below 750 m (2500 ft). One of the approaches being pursued is the reduction of wellbore heat losses in systems with surface generators. This entails testing of commercially available insulated tubulars and high temperature packers. Most of this work has been done in an above-ground test facility constructed by the Thermal Systems Group of General Electric in Tacoma, Washington. In these tests, tubulars and packers were subjected to pressures of up to 14.5 MPa (2100 psi) at temperatures of 378C (640F). The results showed clearly that current designs are unlikely to survive long-term or repeated use under such severe conditions.A second set of tubular tests is now under way in a steam injection well in the Aberfeldy steam pilot operated by Husky Oil Operations, Ltd., near Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada. The primary goal of these tests is to provide data on the long-term performance of insulated strings under more normal operating conditions. oil field storage, handling and injection cycling practices may all significantly affect tubular performance. performance. The program is a cooperative effort by Husky Oil, which is providing the test tubulars and injection well, and Sandia National Laboratories, responsible for the instrumentation, data acquisition and analysis work.p. 271 Keywords: thermocouple, production logging, production monitoring, resistance, temperature profile, heat flux sensor, sagd, variation, sensor, installation Subjects: Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Production logging, Thermal methods This content is only available via PDF. 1981. Society of Petroleum Engineers You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.