1. Cyclic Steam Stimulation in Alberta
Tar Sands Case study: ExxonMobil Cold Lake Nabiye Tar oil project
Odunlami Adefisayo
PTE 531
Fall 2016

2. Presentation Outline Project Objective Introduction
Cyclic Steam Stimulation
Performance
Facilities design
Pros, Cons, and Main Challenge
CSS case study on Alberta Cold lake Tar Sand
References

3. Project Objective
Canadian Tar sand contains a high viscous black oil known as bitumen.
The bitumen has no mobility
and cannot be produced in
its natural states thus heating
the reservoir to reduce the viscosity is very critical in tar sand oil production.
"

4. Project Objective
During Cyclic Steam Stimulation, steam is injected into the reservoir to reduce the bitumen viscosity, increases oil mobility, and drives the low viscous bitumen to the wellbore for production
Viscosity (Vertical axes) reduces with Temperature (Horizontal axes)
Current Overview of Cyclic Steam Injection Process Johannes Alvarez*1, Sungyun Han*2

5. Introduction Tar sands contain almost 10% of global proven reserves
There is a need for unconventional reserves development as proved conventional reserves decreases and oil demand increases
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6. Introduction Largest Tar Sands Reserves in the world Alberta Canada
Athabasca
Cold lake
Peace River
Orinoco Venezuela

7. Introduction CSS has a low recovery factor
compared to other EOR method
The low recovery factor is
compensated by lower
CAPEX and OPEX
Economically proven Tertiary
EOR method
Current Overview of Cyclic Steam Injection Process Johannes Alvarez*1, Sungyun Han*2

8. Cyclic Steam Injection

9. Cyclic Steam Injection
The objectives of CSS are:
Use steam to heat the cold tar sand
Reduce oil viscosity
Pressure up the reservoir and
Fracture into new sand with each steam cycle
Mobilize new bitumen to the wellbore every steam cycle

10. Cyclic Steam Injection
Stage 1: Stimulation phase. Steam is injected into the reservoir for several days/days depending on the size of the reservoir
Stage 2: Soak phase. Steam injected is stopped and the reservoir is allowed to soaked. Bitumen viscosity is reduce and moves to the wellbore.
Stage 3: Production phase. The less viscous bitumen and condensate are pumped to the surface.

11. Cyclic Steam Injection
Also called "Huff and Puff" Method
Huff phase is when steam is injected
Puff phase is when heated bitumen is produced along with condensate
The process is repeated when production becomes uneconomical.

12. Case Study: ExxonMobil Cold Lake Nabiye Tar oil project
Cold Lake Reservoir and Fluid Properties:
Thick unconsolidated sand
Producing zone at 1,500 ft TVD
Very Heavy oil: 11 API
Very Viscous oil: 75,000 cp
Net Pay: approximately 115 ft
Porosity: 35%

13. Case Study: ExxonMobil Cold Lake Nabiye Tar oil project
Located 85 miles northeast of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Largest North America in-situ operation
Average daily production: 150,000 barrels of bitumen per day
Recoverable oil: 280 million barrels of oil
Expected Lifespan: 30 years (Scheduled to be abandoned in 2045)

14. Case Study: ExxonMobil Cold Lake Nabiye Tar oil project
Recent Expansion in 2015
$2 billion expansion to increase production by 40,000 barrels per day
E. Vlttoratos, SPE, Oeorge R. Scott, and Craig I. aeattle, SPE, Esso Resources Canada ltd.
Reservoir Simulation of Steam Injection in the Cold Lake Tar Sand by W.T. Peake, SPE Member

15. CSS Facilities at Cold Lake
The same wellbore is used for both injection and production

16. Benefits of CSS Application in Tar Sand Reserves
Reserves are located in low political risk location (Canada) compare to Middle East
Economically feasibly reserves with advancing technology
Less surface footprint and low environmental impact
Less CAPEX and OPEX compare to other EOR methods

17. Cons of CSS Application in Tar Sand Reserves
Pollutes underground water
Requires lots of water for steam production
Injection inefficiency due inter well interaction during CSS

18. Main Challenge
Interwell Communication- The most expensive Operating cost of CSS is from steam production. Thus, interwell communication is a major issue that determines the profitability of CSS project.
E. Vlttoratos, SPE, Oeorge R. Scott, and Craig I. aeattle, SPE, Esso Resources Canada ltd.

19. References
Johannes Alvarez, Sungyun Han "Current Overview of Cyclic Steam Injection Process"
E. Vittoratos (Esso Resources Canada Ltd.); G.R. Scott (Esso Resources Canada Ltd.); C.I. Beattie (Esso Resources Canada Ltd.) "Cold Lake Cyclic Steam Stimulation:A Multiwell Process"
W.T. Peake, SPE Member “Reservoir Simulation of Steam Injection in the Cold Lake Tar Sand “

20. Fight On!!!