Influence of top water on SAGD steam chamber growth in heavy oil reservoirs: An experimental study

Steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) is one efficient and mature technology for recovering heavy oil bitumen resources. The key underlying mechanism the growth of steam chamber after injecting steam. However, due to complex geological environment, thief zones exist have a prejudicial effect on development chamber, thus impacting ultimate heavy-oil recovery. In this work, our objective investigate top-water zone (i.e., water overlies sand) SAGD performance further understand crucial mechanisms that control heat loss during injection. A large-scale three-dimensional experimental apparatus used carry out process with top aquifer. Based similarity criterion, field-scale model transformed into laboratory elemental model. To evaluate quantitatively, dynamic measured using thermal detectors production data recorded. results show exhibits three distinguished stages, is, upward spread, lateral extension, downward in presence zone. bottom-water has less impact steam-chamber growth. existence confined zone, however, significantly affects performance, especially expansion chamber. propagation front hindered by exchange water. Once reaches boundary, accumulation energy turn, can reduce remaining saturation along topwater–oil interface. This study provides us some insights resources when implementing technology.