Abstract: An Illinois basin operator is successfully increasing injectivity of low-capacity injection wells on shallow waterfloods by thermal stimulation. After displacing a slug of crude into a well to facilitate ignition, an electric heater is run on wire line while injecting air to initiate downhole combustion. Burning of the oil slug and residual oil in the tight sand formations reduces residual oil saturation, and the resulting high temperatures cause minute fracturing. This results in substantially improved permeability and water injectivity. As a result of a test program, one operator has drawn the following conclusions about thermal stimulation of water injection wells: (1) injectivity profiles are substantially improved. (2) Treatments can be economically performed and will improve project profits. (3) In some cases, injection well density can be reduced. (4) Desired injection rates are obtained at lower pressures.
Publication Year: 1967
Publication Date: 1967-09-01
Language: en
Type: article
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