Thermal Properties Evaluation

As the world’s oil fields gradually deplete, hydrocarbons extraction becomes more challenging task. The focus shifts towards heavy oil and unconventional reservoirs requiring extensive efforts in resolving complex structures. In circumstances of volatile behaviour which market has been demonstrating throughout the last decade, Oil and Gas companies face a challenge of balancing extraction costs and profit.

This situation demands instruments that can characterize reservoir properties with a greater accuracy at lower cost. When it comes to thermally assisted heavy oil recovery, SAGD or CSS, it is important to have an accurate thermal model of reservoir. Accuracy of formation thermal properties evaluation is greatly affected by measurement methods. Uncertainty in measurement of thermal properties may contribute to a significant error in estimation of power generation capacity required for production site leading to noticeable negative economical and environmental impacts.

One of the widely used methods of formation thermal properties evaluation is based on extraction of core samples followed by laboratory tests. This method is compromised by inability to accurately recreate reservoir conditions, which in turn, greatly affect thermal properties of the sample. For example, the change in fluid saturation or fluid phase composition in between moments of extraction and lab measurement may create an error of one order magnitude. It is also difficult to consistently measure thermal properties of unconsolidated inhomogeneous core samples typical for shallow heavy oil reservoirs in laboratory.

In order to overcome these limitations Apexense offers In-Situ Thermal Profiling (ISTP) service. The in-situ thermal profiling is based on Distributed Temperature Sensing technology, DTS. The mathematical model for data interpretation and advanced equipment allow thermal properties measurement every meter of the fiber optic cable deployed in the well. The in-situ thermal profiling method has been field proven and laboratory verified.

The in-situ thermal profiling or ISTP service offered by Apexense is

• Accurate - thermal properties evaluation at reservoir conditions.
• Fast - data are available in 72-104 hours.
• Economical - lower cost compared to coring-laboratory method.
• Eco-friendly - precise thermal model of reservoir means exact power capacity needed for SAGD, CSS.

Apexense supplies equipment and offers services for performing thermal properties measurement using ISTP method.