Optimizing the SAGD Process in Three Major Canadian Oil-Sands Areas

Abstract The SAGD process has already been implemented for commercial production in Alberta. In this study, SAGD operating conditions were optimized through numerical reservoir simulations in the three oil sands areas using characteristic properties. Several parameters were screened to define the most applicable reservoir conditions for the SAGD process. The product of reservoir thickness and permeability (k×h) was found to be the single most important parameter. Finally, the optimal cases for each area were compared. The simulation results for shallow Athabasca-type reservoirs showed that a net pay thickness of 15 m is still economic for the SAGD process because of the high permeability of this type of reservoir, despite the very high bitumen viscosity at reservoir conditions. For Cold Lake-type reservoirs, a net pay thickness of at least 20 m is required for an economic SAGD implementation. In Peace River-type reservoirs, net pay thicker than 30 m might be required for a successful SAGD performance due to the low permeability of this type of reservoir. The results of the study indicate that the shallow Athabasca-type reservoir, which is thick with high permeability (high k×h), is a good candidate for SAGD application, whereas Cold Lake and Peace River-type reservoirs, which are thin with low permeability, are not as good candidates for conventional SAGD implementation.