State-of-the-art review of fireflood field projects

Abstract

Based on reservoir data on 25 selected successful fireflood projects and 9 aborted projects, a new screening guide has been developed for firefloods. A new regression equation was also developed which will allow prediction of air requirements which will allow prediction of air requirements with known reservoir characteristics. Methods of predicting other performance variables such as fuel content, sweep efficiency, oil recovery and air-oil ratio are discussed. Industry experience on project design is reviewed in regard to the choice between dry and wet combustion and determination of pattern type and size, air injection rate, water-air ratio and completion intervals. Special well completions needed for fireflood are reviewed as well as the various ignition methods. 76 refs.