Electrical-heating-assisted recovery for heavy oil

Warming heavy oil (940–1000 kg/m3, 10°–20° API) reduces its viscosity substantially; however, conventional thermal recovery by steam injection is not applicable to a number of heavy-oil reservoirs. This paper explores localized electric resistance heating provided by mineral-insulated cable and a novel heater–well arrangement. Two-dimensional (2-D) and heterogeneous three-dimensional (3-D) reservoir simulation models employing single- and dual-lateral completion horizontal wells illustrate that an electric resistance heating element with a modest power output enhances recovery several fold. Important parameters for improved recovery are (1) solution gas, (2) formation and fluid thermal conductivity that permits conductive heating, and (3) the ability to achieve relatively low bottom-hole pressure in production wells. Economic analysis suggests that the cost of electricity is about 1.25 USD per barrel of incremental oil.