Wann-Sheng Huang

A Laboratory Study of the Tapered-Quality Steam-Water Process on a Light Oil

The tapered-quality steam-water process, in which steam injection is converted to water injection via gradually decreasing steam qualities, is described. Laboratory tests performed in linear sand packs on a 43 API gravity crude oil show that (1) steam injection is very effective in recovering light oil, and (2) the tapered-quality steam-water flood is at least equal to, and potentially better than, the conventional steam flood in energy efficiency. This study reviews the conventional steam flood as applied to a light oil reservoir, and then examines a modified process that offers potential improvement in economics.