Experimental Study and Numerical Simulation of an Electrical Preheating for SAGD Wells in Heavy Oil Reservoirs

It is necessary to establish effective communication between two horizontal wells during the preheating period of steam-assisted gravity-drainage (SAGD). However, time usually very long, which results in high steam consumption and CO2 emissions. There little research on effects different wellbore fluids period. The heat transfer heating characteristics fluids–water, heat-conduction oil, air–were explored by using physical experiments numerical simulations. In this study, indicated that heat-transfer performance oil best. simulation’s compared with saturated water, reduced viscosity crude energy was not obvious stage. super-heavy flowed into due solubility its own gravity. As a result, content gradually accumulated, increasing risk coking. Those showed use electrical provides good potential improve SAGD efficiency period, water best injection fluid for wellbores process.