University of Tyumen Researchers Advance Energy-Efficient Enhanced Oil Recovery Technologies
University of Tyumen Researchers Advance Energy-Efficient Enhanced Oil Recovery Technologies
Researchers from the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Tyumen have demonstrated that cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) represents a key thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology for the development of heavy oil reservoirs.
This approach occupies an intermediate position between relatively simple recovery methods, such as waterflooding, and more capital-intensive technologies, including steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and in-situ combustion.
"The principal advantage of cyclic steam stimulation lies in its rapid implementation and high thermal efficiency under constrained resource conditions. Its modernization through hybrid technologies—including CO₂ injection, foam-assisted processes, nanoparticles, and solvents—can increase the oil recovery factor by 20–40% while simultaneously reducing specific energy consumption," said Alexander Gilmanov, Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Process and Systems Modeling at the University of Tyumen.
The researchers found that the application of integral reservoir models during the early stages of cyclic steam stimulation and integrated modeling approaches during later production cycles can improve both the energy efficiency and the economic performance of the technology.
According to the study, future advances in cyclic steam stimulation will depend on further optimization of predictive models, the integration of hybrid recovery methods, and the development of more energy-efficient steam generation technologies.
"The principal advantage of cyclic steam stimulation lies in its rapid implementation and high thermal efficiency under constrained resource conditions. Its modernization through hybrid technologies—including CO₂ injection, foam-assisted processes, nanoparticles, and solvents—can increase the oil recovery factor by 20–40% while simultaneously reducing specific energy consumption," said Alexander Gilmanov, Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Process and Systems Modeling at the University of Tyumen.
The researchers found that the application of integral reservoir models during the early stages of cyclic steam stimulation and integrated modeling approaches during later production cycles can improve both the energy efficiency and the economic performance of the technology.
According to the study, future advances in cyclic steam stimulation will depend on further optimization of predictive models, the integration of hybrid recovery methods, and the development of more energy-efficient steam generation technologies.