Economic analysis of oil production by applying in situ combustion

ABSTRACT

THAI^TM (Toe-to-Heel Air Injection) is a process of enhanced oil recovery, not yet applied in Brazil, which consists of integrating the in situ combustion process with technological advances of horizontal well drilling. Motivated by this fact, this research aimed at studying the application of the THAI^TM process in a semi-synthetic reservoir, with characteristics similar to those found in the Brazilian Northeast. The air injection rate was analyzed, indicating that there is a limit to reach the highest efficiency and improve the net present value (NPV).

KEYWORDS:

• Air injection
• heavy oil
• in situ combustion
• numerical simulation
• thermal method

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank to CMG (Computer Modelling Group) for technical support and programming, and CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior).