Title : Unlocking heavy oil potential: Innovative thermal EOR for legacy wells
Abstract:
Globally, billions of barrels of heavy oil remain trapped in reservoirs due to the limitations of recovery techniques for legacy wells. While thermal methods like SAGD, CSS, and steam drive have revolutionized enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in thermally cased and cemented wells, thousands of older wells remain unsuitable for such applications, leaving significant reserves untapped. Attempts to steam these wells risk compromising wellbore integrity, posing serious economic, safety, and environmental challenges. GERI has developed a patented solution that enables thermal EOR in non-thermally cased and cemented wells. By combining Vacuum Insulated Tubing (VIT) with a wellbore isolation and cooling process, this system maintains production casing temperatures below critical limits during steam injection, protecting the well’s structural integrity. This innovation has been rigorously validated through computational modeling and extensive field trials. Key metrics such as water flow rates, casing temperatures, and steam injection profiles were analyzed across diverse well configurations, demonstrating consistent performance. Field trials showed a 90% reduction in casing temperature stress, enabling safe steam injection while achieving cost savings of up to 20% compared to conventional retrofitting methods. GERI’s breakthrough technology not only revitalizes legacy wells but also enhances the efficiency and scalability of thermal EOR processes. By unlocking previously inaccessible reserves, it bridges the gap between resource accessibility and operational sustainability, paving the way for a more efficient and environmentally conscious future in heavy oil recovery. This innovation represents a significant advancement for the global energy industry, offering a practical and impactful solution to a long-standing challenge.
