One-dimensional heat distribution simulation in heavy oil reservoirs during steam flooding methods

In this paper, a solution of 1-D transient energy equation is demonstrated for steam flooding process. The effect of steam input velocity and the time elapsed of steam are studied. Simulation of the problem is conducted using Mathematics module in COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4. The oilfield is considered at the local thermal equilibrium condition. It has been noticed when the steam velocity at the inlet of the reservoir is increased, deeper the temperature of the reservoir penetrates into the reservoir and the heat propagation inside the reservoir is better which is due to the higher advection effect. It has been also observed that the at lower velocity when conduction play the significant role, the penetration of steam is weaker. It is because at lower velocity the thermal advection velocity coefficient is very low and is limited to the pore fluid only. On the other hand, thermal conductivity of rock is much higher than the pore fluid. The heat transfer from the rock to the fluid in the pore will take place due to conduction which contributes heat propagation away from the steam front. The advection dominant at the higher velocity. It has been also noticed that the higher the time elapsed; the deeper the penetration of steam occurs and better the heat propagation inseide the reservoir. When the time elapsed higher, the energy interaction between the steam and the reservoir fluid happens for longer duration. The energy transport between the two fluids will take place till the equilibrium achieved. But when the time of energy interaction is less, the energy transport between the fluids will not take for longer duration which will not allow the steam to transfer its energy to the reservoir fluid and hence the heat penetration will be shorter. The results demonstrate that the steam flooding rate and time elapsed of the steam play important role in heating of formation and increasing the production of hydrocarbon from the formation.