Physical Model Experimental SAGD/HT-VAPEX Project, and Simulations

In thermal-solvent assisted gravity drainage recovery processes, bitumen viscosity reduction takes places under combined effect of heating and dilution. Imperial has been optimizing the existing solvent recovery processes and developing new technologies to improve the efficiencies and environmental performance of the heavy oil production operations. Recent focus of the company has been in the area of performance optimization of the Azeotropic Heated Vapor Extraction, a new thermal solvent recovery technology developed by Imperial. The performance behavior of pure components on bitumen recovery has been well understood through extensive in-house laboratory studies. However, for the case of commercially feasible processes, multi-component diluent solvents are considered. The laboratory studies have shown prominent underperformance for the commercial diluent solvent when operated at low pressures. The significantly lower oil production rates at lower operation pressures are expected to be due to existence of the light component solvents (e.g. propane and butane) in the diluent stream. This study therefore, focuses on in-depth investigation and understanding of the effect of light hydrocarbon solvents in diluent on performance of Heated VAPEX processes. This will be accomplished through an integrated research program that includes fundamental laboratory work, advanced numerical simulation studies and laboratory scaled physical modeling experiments.

Faculty Supervisor:

Hassan Hassanzadeh

Student:

Partner:

Imperial Oil Limited (AB);Imperial Oil Resources Ltd

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining

University:

University of Calgary

Program: