Numerical simulation of heavy-oil/bitumen recovery by solvent injection at elevated temperatures

Our results and observations showed that the solvent should be in the gas phase and its sensitivity to temperature and sample height (for effective gravity drainage) is more critical than the pressure. There also exists a critical temperature that yields a maximum recovery and this value was determined for the rock/reservoir types and solvents considered in this study. Solvents considered, i.e., propane and butane, behaved differently in terms of asphaltene precipitation and its effects on ultimate recovery.