wellbore modeling

A Feasibility Study of the Potential Benefits of low-Rate Water Injection In Superheated Steam Production Wells

Basic Information
Author: 
Butler, S.J.
Author: 
Sanyal, S.K.
Author: 
Henneberger, R.C.
Author: 
Goyal, K.P.
Author: 
Box Jr., W.T.
Description: 
This paper investigates the technical feasibility of improving the productivity of superheated steam production wells by low-rate water injection downhole. A combined numerical simulation model of the reservoir and well bore was developed to analyze the physical and thermodynamic processes associated with such downhole injection. The model consisted of a geometrically- increasing radial grid with 12 horizontal layers, the vertical stack of the central grid blocks representing the well bore. The model was calibrated against the temperature and pressure profiles from two flowing wells at The Geysers steam field in California. The modeling of low-rate downhole injection (through a tubing) so far indicates that up to a third of a megawatt (MW) of additional power can be easily gained by injection at 7,500 feet (ft) in a superheated steam well. Of this additional steam, about half results from de-superheating of steam and the rest from extraction of heat from the formation surrounding the well bore. In addition to increasing the power capacity, downhole injection allows neutralization of acidic steam through the addition of caustic soda to the injection water, scrubbing of chloride, and dilution of the non-condensable gases in the produced steam.
Publication Date: 
Sunday, September 22, 2002
Resource Language: 
English
Intelectual Originator Contact
Organization Name: 
GeothermEx, Inc.
Street Address: 
3260 Blume Drive,Suite 220
City: 
Richmond
State/Province: 
CA
Postal Code: 
94806
Country: 
United States
Phone: 
510-527-9876
Fax: 
510-527-8164
Resource Information
Resource Distribution Contact
Organization Name: 
GeothermEx, Inc.
Street Address: 
3260 Blume Drive,Suite 220
City: 
Richmond
State/Province: 
CA
Postal Code: 
94806
Country: 
United States
Phone: 
510-527-9876
Fax: 
510-527-8164
Geographic Extent
North bounding latitude: 
42.2472
South bounding latitude: 
31.8989
West bounding longitude: 
-124.98
East bounding longitude: 
-113.379
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