Numerical modeling of emulsion to investigate the SAGD oil production based on viscosity measurements

In this study,the effects of emulsion generation ina steam chamber formed in oil sands reservoirhave been studiedfor bitumenproduction using Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD).Some viscosity measurements of heavy oilemulsion wereperformed to investigate the characteristics of emulsion at different values ofW/O, shear rates, pressures and temperatures. Based on these results, a numerical model of viscosity changewaspresented forthe emulsion generation. The numerical simulationsofthe SAGD bitumen productionwerealso carried out based on the modelof viscosity changeto estimate distribution of emulsion, water, and bitumen at steam chamber boundary and effects of emulsion on bitumen production behavior. With a modelnamed SAGD-EmulsionModel, we highlighted that recovery factor of bitumen washigher than that of conventional SAGD simulationbecausehigherwater content would invariably allow bitumen to flow at higher relative permeability. The increase in viscosity was expected to inducedelayofbitumenproduction.