Simulation and Experimental Study of Electromagnetic Heating for Heavy Oil Stimulation

Simulation and laboratory experimentation are carried out as a part of study on electromagnetic heating for heavy oil stimulation. In prior investigation, it has been shown that the microwave heating was effective for reducing viscosity of heavy oil, so this method has been promising the implementation for actual oil well in the future. The simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics
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shows that the use of frequency is less effective with a very short heating penetration through the sample. While more conductive samples used in the laboratory experimentation indicates further heating penetration. Through the on-off pattern of heating process, it is found that the heat transfer mechanism occurs based on the radiation and conduction. Both of these heat transfer mechanisms could work simultaneously to increase the temperature of sample up to 76.8° C from the initial temperature of 24° C.