Xinjiang Petroleum Geology ›› 2021, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (1): 120-126.doi: 10.7657/XJPG20210117

• APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY • Previous Articles    

Field Application of Steam Foam Flooding in Foreign Oilfields

GONG Yuning1, WANG Yuhao2, ZHU Zhouyuan3()   

  1. 1. Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Liaohe Oilfield Company, PetroChina, Panjin, Liaoning 124000, China
    2. Jiangzuan Company, Petroleum Machinery Co., Ltd, Sinopec, Wuhan, Hubei 430000, China
    3. School of Safety and Ocean Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
  • Received:2020-01-01 Revised:2020-05-22 Online:2021-02-01 Published:2021-02-24
  • Contact: ZHU Zhouyuan E-mail:zhuzy02@cup.edu.cn

Abstract:

This paper reviews field applications of steam foam flooding in foreign oilfields, analyzes and summarizes the rules based on 18 oilfield cases. Specifically, we investigated how steam temperature, steam dryness, surfactant type, surfactant concentration, and timing and method of injecting surfactants influence the stimulation effect of steam foam flooding. Steam foam has been widely used to improve the sweep efficiency of steam flooding or cyclic steam stimulation, and consequently improving thermal recovery. The technology has been successfully piloted and applied on an industrial scale in many oil fields such as in the United States, Canada, and Venezuela. Finally, according to the field performances, we put forward some proposals for improving steam foam flooding, with the intent to provide referential support to field application of steam foam flooding.

Key words: steam foam flooding, steam huff and puff, steam flooding, enhanced oil recovery, field performances, controlling factor, oilfield case analysis

CLC Number: