Describing and modelling the key mechanisms in cold production. Reservoir engineering tools were developed to address field concerns such as foamy oil behaviour and wormhole network growth. This work is so advanced that focus has now shifted from studying the mechanisms themselves to identifying and evaluating improvements in operating practices and exploitation strategies.
Improving and supporting steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). This includes addressing issues such as: interbedded shale; sand control; the impact of non-condensable gases in the steam chamber; initialisation strategies; bottom water; the impact of geochemical reactions near production wells; sub-cool; and, well-bore hydraulic control.
Improving and extending conventional SAGD performance by adding solvents. AACI’s efforts in this area have led to higher and faster drainage rates, lower energy and water requirements, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Using gas and solvents to improve heavy-oil and bitumen recovery. AACI is field testing the use of a mixture of light hydrocarbons tailored to suit individual reservoir conditions and thereby improve cold production of heavy-oil. Existing recovery rates are typically 8-15% of the resource. Were this to be improved, a number of cold production wells that have reached the end of their economic lives could be reactivated. While the economic incentive is driving the research, the significant added benefits include fewer greenhouse gas emissions and decreased water use.
We can see AACI’s work provides a remarkable return on investment. And that benefits Alberta’s economy, thereby directly improving our standard of living. Perhaps even more important, though, is the long-term environmental consequence of the research Doug Lillico and his exceptional team are conducting. Specific results include reduced greenhouse-gas emissions and decreased water use. Add to that efforts under way to develop effective ways to sequester carbon dioxide inside geological formations, and you get real, long-term socio-economic improvements. The research being undertaken by the following scientists promises to positively impact the health and wellbeing of future generations of Albertans. That is tangible and meaningful. Led by Jose Alvarez, Roy Coates, Xiaohui Deng, Ted Fruaenfeld, Haibo Huang, John Ivory, Tawfik Nasr, and, Ron Sawatzky, the terrific AACI team includes the following current members:
- Olajide Akinlade
- Gilles Beaulieu
- John Bleile
- Jeannine Chang
- Karen Enders
- Ken Forshner
- Hugh Fung
- Tarek Hamida
- Gordon Heck
- Marlene Huerta
- Yoshiaki Ito
- Chris Jossy
- Eddie Jossy
- Gerard Korpany
- Git Lim
- Yongnuan Liu
- Mike London
- Yvonne Mariacci
- Brigida Meza Diaz
- Kaz Oldakowski
- Valerie Pinkoski
- Raj Rajan
- Grant Sjostrom
- Mafiz Uddin
- Don Ungarian
- Xinkui Wang
- Brad Wasylyk
- Brian Wiwchar
- Rong Zheng