Physical simulation of the interlayer effect on SAGD production in mackay river oil sands

According to the characteristics of steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), critical similarity numbers are chosen. Besides, the dimensionless Subcool is proposed for boundary similarity, which provides a control criterion for physical simulations. Based on the reservoir parameters in Mackay River oil sands, two sets of visual experimental equipment for quasi three-dimensional SAGD physical simulation are developed. With the help of the quasi-three-dimensional SAGD physical simulation facilities, the researches of steam chamber flow mechanism and steam conformance along the horizontal section are conducted. Three production periods were identified and the production performance of each production period was characterized. Comparisons among the homogeneous model and heterogeneous models indicate that the existence and distribution pattern of interlayers make some effects on the SAGD production. The temperature distributions along the horizontal section were described during the SAGD process. Meanwhile, the effect of steam injection rate on the SAGD production performance was analyzed in detail.