FUNDAMENTALS OF FUNDAMENTALS OF

ENHANCED OIL ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY RECOVERY

IN -ITJ tUMJJ-TIUN IN -ITJ tUMJJ-TIUN
!705,70/- !705,70/- $! $!
!ntroduction: !ntroduction:
Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) refers to the processes of Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) refers to the processes of
producing liquid hydrocarbons by methods other than producing liquid hydrocarbons by methods other than
conventional use of reservoir energy and reservoir conventional use of reservoir energy and reservoir
repressurizing schemes with gas or water. On the repressurizing schemes with gas or water. On the
average, conventional methods of production produce average, conventional methods of production produce
about one about onethird of the initial oil in place in a given third of the initial oil in place in a given
reservoir. The remaining oil, nearly two reservoir. The remaining oil, nearly twothird of the third of the
initial resource, is a large and attractive target for EOR initial resource, is a large and attractive target for EOR
methods. methods.
These methods or processes have as their objectives These methods or processes have as their objectives
:1)to increase recovery from reservoirs considered depleted :1)to increase recovery from reservoirs considered depleted
by secondary methods of waterflooding or gas injection and by secondary methods of waterflooding or gas injection and
2) to increase recoveries from which would not respond to 2) to increase recoveries from which would not respond to
conventional waterflooding or gas injection. Processes conventional waterflooding or gas injection. Processes
developed to meet the first objective were appropriately developed to meet the first objective were appropriately
termed tertiary recovery projects, but the name was ill termed tertiary recovery projects, but the name was illsuited suited
for all other methods. This prompted introduction of the term for all other methods. This prompted introduction of the term
enhanced oil recovery (EOR) ,which is now the generally enhanced oil recovery (EOR) ,which is now the generally
accepted designation for all unconventional recovery process. accepted designation for all unconventional recovery process.
Enhanced oil recovery processes can be separated into Enhanced oil recovery processes can be separated into
three major categories and the text is three major categories and the text is subdivided subdivided
according to this classification: according to this classification:
11)Thermal Processes )Thermal Processes
aasteam flooding steam flooding
b bin situ combustion in situ combustion
22)Chemical Processes )Chemical Processes
33)Niscible Displacement Processes )Niscible Displacement Processes
!N !N S!TU S!TU CONBUST!ON CONBUST!ON
There are two fundamentally different processes of in situ There are two fundamentally different processes of in situ
combustion : combustion : forward combustion( also known as dry ( also known as dry
combustion) and combustion) and reverse combustion. .
!n forward combustion, the reservoir is ignited in the !n forward combustion, the reservoir is ignited in the
vicinity of an air injection well, and the combustion front vicinity of an air injection well, and the combustion front
propagates away from the well. Continued injection of propagates away from the well. Continued injection of
air maintains the combustion and drives it through the air maintains the combustion and drives it through the
reservoir in the general direction of air flow. Figure 1 is a reservoir in the general direction of air flow. Figure 1 is a
schematic diagram of the in situ combustion process. schematic diagram of the in situ combustion process.
The lower portion of the diagram (figure 1B) shows the The lower portion of the diagram (figure 1B) shows the
temperature distribution from the injection well to the temperature distribution from the injection well to the
production well. production well.
Fig1A. Fig1A.
Fig1B. Fig1B.
Schematic diagram of in situ combustion process Schematic diagram of in situ combustion process
Since the temperature and heat content of the burned zone are Since the temperature and heat content of the burned zone are
quite large, the oil will be heated to temperature ranging quite large, the oil will be heated to temperature ranging
between between S00 S00700 700 F. This high temperature reduces the F. This high temperature reduces the
viscosity of the oil by several orders of magnitude, there by viscosity of the oil by several orders of magnitude, there by
allowing high viscosity crudes to flow freely towards the allowing high viscosity crudes to flow freely towards the
producing well. Referring to Figure producing well. Referring to Figure11, one can readily see that , one can readily see that
much heat is left in the burned zone behind the combustion much heat is left in the burned zone behind the combustion
front. !n dry combustion this heat is left to dissipate through front. !n dry combustion this heat is left to dissipate through
reservoir cap and base rock. reservoir cap and base rock.
But for The But for The reverse combustion process , after burning out process , after burning out
a short distance from the ignited well, air injection is switched to a short distance from the ignited well, air injection is switched to
adjacent wells. Continued injection air in the adjacent wells adjacent wells. Continued injection air in the adjacent wells
drives the oil towards the previously ignited well while the drives the oil towards the previously ignited well while the
combustion front travels in the opposite direction towards the combustion front travels in the opposite direction towards the
adjacent wells (Figure adjacent wells (Figure22) . This oxygen supply can only be ) . This oxygen supply can only be
provided by the air which is injected in the adjacent well. Thus if provided by the air which is injected in the adjacent well. Thus if
the oil about the adjacent well ignites spontaneously ,the the oil about the adjacent well ignites spontaneously ,the
oxygen supply for reverse combustion is cut off and the process oxygen supply for reverse combustion is cut off and the process
essentially reverts to a forward combustion process . essentially reverts to a forward combustion process .
Fig2. illustration of reverse Fig2. illustration of reverse
combustion process combustion process
dietz and Weijdema (1368) dietz and Weijdema (1368)
have shown that except for have shown that except for
low reactivity low reactivitycrudes at near crudes at near
arctic reservoir temperature arctic reservoir temperature
and low reservoir pressures, and low reservoir pressures,
air airinjection pressures. injection pressures.
Fig3. ignition time as a function of at a various Fig3. ignition time as a function of at a various
Spontaneous ignition will occur within a few days (Figure Spontaneous ignition will occur within a few days (Figure33). ).
But how will spontaneous But how will spontaneousignition occur? ignition occur?
The process is as follows: upon injection of air, some The process is as follows: upon injection of air, some
oxidation of crude oil takes place at reservoir temperature oxidation of crude oil takes place at reservoir temperature
and results in a slow temperature rise. The rise in and results in a slow temperature rise. The rise in
temperature has the effect of increasing the rate of oxidation temperature has the effect of increasing the rate of oxidation
of the crude which, in turn, leads to further rise in of the crude which, in turn, leads to further rise in
temperature. The process continues until the temperature of temperature. The process continues until the temperature of
crude has risen to the point at spontaneous ignition of the crude has risen to the point at spontaneous ignition of the
crude occurs. crude occurs.
This may explain why many pilot reverse combustion field This may explain why many pilot reverse combustion field
tests have failed, in spite of the fact that laboratory studies tests have failed, in spite of the fact that laboratory studies
have let to satisfactory results. So you can see that we must have let to satisfactory results. So you can see that we must
find some other ways for this method, there are many find some other ways for this method, there are many
variations of the forward in situ combustion process. Wet and variations of the forward in situ combustion process. Wet and
partially quenched combustion are two of these variations. partially quenched combustion are two of these variations.
Wet combustion: Wet combustion:
When water in a moderate a When water in a moderate a
mounts simultaneously with mounts simultaneously with
the air, it flashes into the air, it flashes into
superheated steam for a superheated steam for a
short distance from the short distance from the
injection well, the injection well, the
evaporation front remains evaporation front remains
close to the injection close to the injection
well(Figure well(Figure44A).upon A).upon
crossing the combustion crossing the combustion
front ,the superheated front ,the superheated
steam mixes with nitrogen steam mixes with nitrogen
from the air and flue gas from the air and flue gas
consisting mainly of CO and consisting mainly of CO and
CO CO2 2 . This mixture of gases . This mixture of gases
displaces the oil in front of displaces the oil in front of
the combustion and the combustion and
condenses as soon as its condenses as soon as its
temperature drops to temperature drops to 400 400 F. F.
Figure Figure 44A. A.
!deally, water can be injected in !deally, water can be injected in
sufficient amounts in order to sufficient amounts in order to
bring evaporation front as close bring evaporation front as close
as possible to the front as possible to the front
combustion (Figure4B ). This combustion (Figure4B ). This
would result in transporting all would result in transporting all
the excess heat of heat of the the excess heat of heat of the
burned zone to the steam. burned zone to the steam.
Thus, the steam zone would Thus, the steam zone would
increase in size ,and for a given increase in size ,and for a given
well spacing the combustion well spacing the combustion
front would travel a much front would travel a much
shorter distance than in the shorter distance than in the
case of dry combustion in case of dry combustion in
order to effectively sweep the order to effectively sweep the
oils towards the producing well. oils towards the producing well.
Laboratory results showed that Laboratory results showed that
optimal wet combustion optimal wet combustion
requires only about one requires only about onethird third
as much air as that needed for as much air as that needed for
dry combustion. dry combustion.
Figure 4B. Figure 4B.
Partially quenched combustion: Partially quenched combustion:
Partially quenched combustion when water is introduced in sufficient Partially quenched combustion when water is introduced in sufficient
amounts in to the combustion zone. Laboratory experiments showed amounts in to the combustion zone. Laboratory experiments showed
that at a temperature of that at a temperature of 400 400 F, oxygen is consumed within F, oxygen is consumed within 00. .4 4 to to
33. .3 3 ft. Therefore, introduction of water in the combustion zone ft. Therefore, introduction of water in the combustion zone
would partially quench the combustion, and thus the oxygen must would partially quench the combustion, and thus the oxygen must
travel until it comes in contact with oil at travel until it comes in contact with oil at 400 400 F. !n this way the F. !n this way the
combustion zone moves at the speed of the cooling water and all combustion zone moves at the speed of the cooling water and all
the processes (heating and partial evaporation , heat recovery from the processes (heating and partial evaporation , heat recovery from
the formation and heat generation by the combustion) occur in one the formation and heat generation by the combustion) occur in one
fast fasttraveling front (Figure traveling front (Figure 44c). c).
Figure 4B. Figure 4B.
!gnition: !gnition:
During the early stages of development of in situ During the early stages of development of in situ
combustion, numerous and sometimes unnecessary combustion, numerous and sometimes unnecessary
measures were taken in order to ignite the oil. !n one measures were taken in order to ignite the oil. !n one
methods high methods highpowers heaters were lowered in the air powers heaters were lowered in the air
injection wells. This resulted in the formation of coke injection wells. This resulted in the formation of coke
around the wells, a substance that is much more difficult around the wells, a substance that is much more difficult
to ignite than crude oil. An attempt was also made to to ignite than crude oil. An attempt was also made to
use concentrated nitric acid, a strong reactive and use concentrated nitric acid, a strong reactive and
oxidizing agent, but violent explosions occurred and oxidizing agent, but violent explosions occurred and
resulted in destroying the tubular equipment in the well. resulted in destroying the tubular equipment in the well.
Noderate heating of the injected air may be desired in Noderate heating of the injected air may be desired in
order to reduce the ignition time. Normally ,raising the order to reduce the ignition time. Normally ,raising the
reservoir temperature to 200 F will result in an ignition reservoir temperature to 200 F will result in an ignition
period 1 or 2 days. period 1 or 2 days.
Preheating may also be required to control the initial Preheating may also be required to control the initial
location of ignition. Without preheating, ignition will location of ignition. Without preheating, ignition will
occur at some distance beyond the face of the injector occur at some distance beyond the face of the injector
screen and a reverse combustion effect may follow. screen and a reverse combustion effect may follow.
Extremely high temperatures occur in the interval where Extremely high temperatures occur in the interval where
combustion direction is reversed and damage to combustion direction is reversed and damage to
injectors could result. Noderate preheating will cause injectors could result. Noderate preheating will cause
ignition near the wellbore and the high combustion ignition near the wellbore and the high combustion
reversal temperatures can be avoided. reversal temperatures can be avoided.
According to tadema and weijdema (1370), the ignition According to tadema and weijdema (1370), the ignition
time can be estimated by the following formula: time can be estimated by the following formula:
0 0 0 0
0
/
0 0 1 1
/ 86400
) / 2 1 (
1
T B P HA S
B T T c
n
x
T B
e
t
8
8

,bs) tm pressure(, injection v,ir the is p where p 0.209 : P

,bs) oxygen(,tm oI pressure p,rti, : P
) c,/kgO re,ction(k oI he,t : H
porosity :
s,tur,tion oi : S
exponent pressure : n
K) const,nt( : B
) ,tm ec const,nt(s : A
K) e( temper,tur initi, : T
C) kc,/kg Iorm,tion( be,ring oi oI he,t speciIic : c
) oi(kg/m oI density : p
) kg/m Iorm,tion( be,ring oi oI density : p
time(d,ys) ignition : t
: Where
x x
x
2
0
n 1
0
0
1
3
0
3
1
1
3
3
3

8 8
c S c S c c 8 8 8 8
0 0 0 1 1
) 1 (
) (kc,/kg w,ter oI he,t speciIic :
) /m density(kg w,ter :
s,tur,tion w,ter :
) g oi(kc,/k oI he,t speciIic : c
) /kg gr,in(kc, Iorm,tion the oI he,t speciIic :
) /m density(kg gr,in Iorm,tion : p
:
) 1 (
3
w
0
3
s
0 0 0 1 1
C c
S
C
C c
ere
c S c S c c

8
8 8
3
3
3
8
8 8 8 8
The specific heat of the formation The specific heat of the formation 88.. is determined is determined
from: from:
The constants The constants A A00 and and BB00 and n are determined by and n are determined by
measuring the oxidation rates of different crude oil measuring the oxidation rates of different crude oilsand sand
mixtures at different temperatures and pressures. The mixtures at different temperatures and pressures. The
oxidation rate oxidation rate K K (mg O (mg O22/kg oil, sec) is related to the /kg oil, sec) is related to the
partial pressure of the oxygen partial pressure of the oxygen PPx x and the oil and the oil
temperature temperature TT00 by the following Arrhenius by the following Arrheniustype type
equation: equation:
0
B/T
n
x 0
e P A K

Air Requirements : Air Requirements :

The main factor which govern the volume of air required for The main factor which govern the volume of air required for
in situ combustion are : amount of fuel supply (coke) of in situ combustion are : amount of fuel supply (coke) of
oil being burned and the efficiency of oxygen utilization. oil being burned and the efficiency of oxygen utilization.
As the combustion zone moves through the reservoir, it As the combustion zone moves through the reservoir, it
continuously emits heat. The heat moves in the forward continuously emits heat. The heat moves in the forward
direction by conduction, as sensible heat in liquid and gas direction by conduction, as sensible heat in liquid and gas
and as heat of vaporization in vapor. The combustion and as heat of vaporization in vapor. The combustion
zone can only moves as fast as it depletes the coke. !f zone can only moves as fast as it depletes the coke. !f
the amount of coke deposited by the crude oil is the amount of coke deposited by the crude oil is
excessive, the rate of advance of the combustion zone excessive, the rate of advance of the combustion zone
would be slow and the air requirement would be large. would be slow and the air requirement would be large.
On the other hand if the oil is paraffin On the other hand if the oil is paraffinbase and of high base and of high
AP! gravity it could be completely flashed out. AP! gravity it could be completely flashed out.
and combustion would not be sustained in the absence of and combustion would not be sustained in the absence of
coke. therefore asphaltic and nafthenic coke. therefore asphaltic and nafthenicbase crude oils base crude oils
are are normally the best candidates for the in situ normally the best candidates for the in situ
combustion process. combustion process.
Efficiency of oxygen utilization depends on following Efficiency of oxygen utilization depends on following
parameters: parameters:
1)carbon/hydrogen ratio (C/H) of the coke 1)carbon/hydrogen ratio (C/H) of the coke
2)amount of CO produced 2)amount of CO produced
and 3)amount O and 3)amount O22 which appears in the exhaust. which appears in the exhaust.
When the C/H ratio of the crude oil is low, more air will be When the C/H ratio of the crude oil is low, more air will be
required since it takes more O required since it takes more O22 to oxidize hydrogen than to oxidize hydrogen than
carbon. The amount of CO produced is a measure of the carbon. The amount of CO produced is a measure of the
relative amount of carbon which is not completely relative amount of carbon which is not completely
oxidized. oxidized.
Since the amount of O Since the amount of O22 required to produce CO required to produce CO22 is twice is twice
that required to produce CO, it follows that the larger that required to produce CO, it follows that the larger
the amount CO produced the less the air required. the amount CO produced the less the air required.
Finally, the air requirement must be increased in order to Finally, the air requirement must be increased in order to
supply an amount of O supply an amount of O22 which is equal to the amount which is equal to the amount
that appears in the exhaust. that appears in the exhaust.
Burning rate seems to have very little effect on fuel Burning rate seems to have very little effect on fuel
consumption, but the air requirement was higher at the consumption, but the air requirement was higher at the
higher burning rates. The volume of air required to burn higher burning rates. The volume of air required to burn
1 Lb of hydrocarbon can be estimated by the following 1 Lb of hydrocarbon can be estimated by the following
equation: equation:
01873 0
1
8 5 0 667 2
1
V
.
R B A
C) B . (A .
R
R

,nd burned n hydroc,rbo the oI r,tio : R

. O ,nd CO , CO oI s percent,ge the g c,cu,tin beIore eimin,ted
be must combustion oI products not ,re th,t g,ses n hydroc,rbo
,nd H ,s such g,ses ,ny i.e., b,sis, Iree - g,s extr,neous ,n to
corrected g,s exh,ust in the y, respective O ,nd Co , CO percent : C B, A,
,tm) F, (coke)(32 Iue oI b 1 burn to required ,ir oI voume : V
: Where
2 2
2
2 2
C/H
3
6 37 2
21
R
B
.
C) B -(A
B A

Therefore, from the AP! gravity of the in situ oil and with Therefore, from the AP! gravity of the in situ oil and with
the help of the previous Equation for v, the air the help of the previous Equation for v, the air
requirement per cubic foot of oil sand can be requirement per cubic foot of oil sand can be
estimated. !t should be remembered, however, that estimated. !t should be remembered, however, that
the data of figure 3B were obtained for an oil the data of figure 3B were obtained for an oil
saturation S0 of 60 of the pore volume and water saturation S0 of 60 of the pore volume and water
saturation Sw of 20.Once the volume of air required saturation Sw of 20.Once the volume of air required
per cubic foot of fuel supply is determined, the air per cubic foot of fuel supply is determined, the airoil oil
ratio (AOR) many be calculated by the following ratio (AOR) many be calculated by the following
equation(Crawford,1374): equation(Crawford,1374):
7 0 7760 37 0 3 0 ) 125 7760 (
56 0 43500 157 9 1
AOR
.
o
S . . F S
. .
o
L L L L L L L c c
L L L

porosity :
rock oI Ioot cubic per (coke) Iue oI bs : F
oi b,rreoI per Ieet cubic st,nd,rd in r,tio - oi - ,ir : AOR
: Where

As an example, let the exhaust gas analysis corrected to As an example, let the exhaust gas analysis corrected to
a methane a methanefree basis be as follows: free basis be as follows:
CO CO22((17 17. .28 28),CO( ),CO(11. .04 04),O ),O22((00). Let the fuel ). Let the fuel
availability be availability be 11. .3 3 lb/cu ft. Therefore, C/H is calculated lb/cu ft. Therefore, C/H is calculated
at at 14 14, and v is , and v is 1S7 1S7 SCF of air per lb of fuel. !f the SCF of air per lb of fuel. !f the
porosity is porosity is 30 30 and the oil saturation is and the oil saturation is 7S 7S then then
substitution in equation substitution in equation S S yields: yields:
Solution: Solution:
oi oI b,rre per ,ir oI SCF 8031
0.7 7760 0.75 0.3 0.37 125)0.3 1.9 - 7760 0.75 (0.3
56 . 0 43500 157 9 1
AOR

L L L L L L L
L L L

.
Economic Evaluation: Economic Evaluation:
Wlison and root ( Wlison and root (1366 1366) made an economic study in which ) made an economic study in which
they used a modified from chu's two they used a modified from chu's twodimensional model. dimensional model.
Their main objective was to compare cost heating of a Their main objective was to compare cost heating of a
reservoir either by steam injection or by forward reservoir either by steam injection or by forward
combustion, without regard to recovery. Their sole combustion, without regard to recovery. Their sole
consideration was the cost of heating to the same radial consideration was the cost of heating to the same radial
distance by either forward combustion or by steam distance by either forward combustion or by steam
injection. They concluded that: injection. They concluded that:
11.Except for oils which yield coke in amount less than .Except for oils which yield coke in amount less than 1 1
Lb/cu ft and reservoir thicknesses of about Lb/cu ft and reservoir thicknesses of about 10 10 ft or less, ft or less,
heating the reservoir by steam injection is cheaper than heating the reservoir by steam injection is cheaper than
by forward combustion as long as the cost of the fuel by forward combustion as long as the cost of the fuel
needed to generate the steam is low. needed to generate the steam is low.
2.For a given thickness, pressure and rate of heat 2.For a given thickness, pressure and rate of heat
injection, injection,
Either process may be cheaper, depending upon the Either process may be cheaper, depending upon the
reservoir fuel consumption and depth. How ever, as the reservoir fuel consumption and depth. How ever, as the
price of fuel increases, the cost of heating by steam price of fuel increases, the cost of heating by steam
injection increases more rapidly. injection increases more rapidly.
3.!ncreased coke deposition favors stem injection. 3.!ncreased coke deposition favors stem injection.
4.!ncreased wellbore losses by increased depth favors 4.!ncreased wellbore losses by increased depth favors
combustion. combustion.
S.As the heated distance in the reservoir increases, S.As the heated distance in the reservoir increases,
heating by combustion becomes more favorable. heating by combustion becomes more favorable.
6.As the sand thickness decreases and the pressure 6.As the sand thickness decreases and the pressure
increases, combustion is favored over steam injection. increases, combustion is favored over steam injection.
7.As the injection rates decrease, costs of steam injection 7.As the injection rates decrease, costs of steam injection
become more favorable relative to air. become more favorable relative to air.
Oil Recovery: Oil Recovery:
Average oil recovery from in situ combustion is Average oil recovery from in situ combustion is
approximately approximately S0 S0. Nost of the recovery occurs before . Nost of the recovery occurs before
breakthrough of the combustion zone. !n the case of low breakthrough of the combustion zone. !n the case of low
viscosity crudes, oil production declines very rapidly viscosity crudes, oil production declines very rapidly
following breakthrough. !n the case of viscose crudes, following breakthrough. !n the case of viscose crudes,
how ever, almost half the recovery comes after how ever, almost half the recovery comes after
breakthrough. breakthrough.
Breakthrough of the combustion zone is recognized by an Breakthrough of the combustion zone is recognized by an
increase in water cut of the produced oil and a rise in gas increase in water cut of the produced oil and a rise in gas
production rate and it's oxygen content, followed by a production rate and it's oxygen content, followed by a
sharp rise in bottom hole temperature, on the order of sharp rise in bottom hole temperature, on the order of
100 100200 200 F. At the same time, a noticeable drop occurs in F. At the same time, a noticeable drop occurs in
the PH of the produced water. This increase in the acidity the PH of the produced water. This increase in the acidity
of the water is usually accompanied by an increase in of the water is usually accompanied by an increase in
iron and sulfate. iron and sulfate.
Disadvantages: Disadvantages:
The disadvantages of the in situ combustion process can be The disadvantages of the in situ combustion process can be
summarized as follows: summarized as follows:
1.The in situ combustion process has a tendency to sweep 1.The in situ combustion process has a tendency to sweep
only the upper part of the oil zone, therefore vertical only the upper part of the oil zone, therefore vertical
sweep in very thick formations is likely to be poor. The sweep in very thick formations is likely to be poor. The
burning front produces steam both by evaporation the burning front produces steam both by evaporation the
interstitial water and by combustion reactions. The steam interstitial water and by combustion reactions. The steam
mobilizes and displaces much of the heavy oil ahead of mobilizes and displaces much of the heavy oil ahead of
the front, but when water condenses from the steam it the front, but when water condenses from the steam it
settles below steam vapors and combustions gases, thus settles below steam vapors and combustions gases, thus
causing their flow to concentrate in the upper part of the causing their flow to concentrate in the upper part of the
oil zone. oil zone.
2.Nuch of the heat generated by in situ combustion is not 2.Nuch of the heat generated by in situ combustion is not
Utilized in heating the oil, rather, it heats the oil Utilized in heating the oil, rather, it heats the oilbearing bearing
strata. !nterbedded shale and base and cap rock. strata. !nterbedded shale and base and cap rock.
Therefore, in situ combustion would be economically Therefore, in situ combustion would be economically
feasible when there is less rock material to be heated, feasible when there is less rock material to be heated,
i.e., when the porosity and oil saturation are high and i.e., when the porosity and oil saturation are high and
the sand thickness is moderate. the sand thickness is moderate.
3. Nany operators feel viscose, low 3. Nany operators feel viscose, lowgravity crudes are best gravity crudes are best
suited for in situ combustion because they provide the suited for in situ combustion because they provide the
needed fuel for combustion. How ever, the required air needed fuel for combustion. How ever, the required air
oil ratio for viscose crudes is high while they price is oil ratio for viscose crudes is high while they price is
generally lower than the high gravity crudes. Some generally lower than the high gravity crudes. Some
successful projects have also been repotted for lower successful projects have also been repotted for lower
viscosity, higher gravity crudes, such as marathon's fry viscosity, higher gravity crudes, such as marathon's fry
project. This crude has an AP! gravity of 28.6 and a project. This crude has an AP! gravity of 28.6 and a
viscosity of 40 c.p. viscosity of 40 c.p.
4. !nstallation of in situ combustion requires a large 4. !nstallation of in situ combustion requires a large
investment. How ever, surface installation consumes less investment. How ever, surface installation consumes less
fuel than hot water or steam generating units. fuel than hot water or steam generating units.
Conclusion:
!t has been demonstrated that in situ combustion is !t has been demonstrated that in situ combustion is
suitable in the recovery of oils of gravities in excess of suitable in the recovery of oils of gravities in excess of
10 AP!. How ever, it is unlikely that dry combustion per 10 AP!. How ever, it is unlikely that dry combustion per
se will find much wider application in the future . With se will find much wider application in the future . With
continued technological improvements, it is almost continued technological improvements, it is almost
certain that some form of in situ combustion such as wet certain that some form of in situ combustion such as wet
and partially quenched combustion will find greater and partially quenched combustion will find greater
application. application.