Optimizing Ultra Heavy Oil Recovery by Enhancing Steam Injection Conformance Using Autonomous Outflow Control Devices

Abstract Ultra-heavy oil recovery presents unique challenges due to the oil's high viscosity and the limitations of traditional steam injection methods, particularly in ensuring efficient steam distribution. Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) is a widely used technique; however, its effectiveness is often reduced by uneven steam conformance and high steam-oil ratios (SOR). This research introduces a novel application of Autonomous Outflow Control Devices (AOCDs and OCDs) to address these challenges. Unlike conventional passive devices (OCDs), AOCDs dynamically adjust steam flow rates in real-time based on reservoir conditions, ensuring more uniform steam distribution and reducing heat loss. Using advanced dynamic reservoir simulation and wellbore modeling software, this study evaluates the performance of AOCDs in improving steam injection conformance and enhancing oil recovery. The results show a 15% increase in oil recovery and a 10% reduction in SOR, demonstrating the effectiveness of AOCDs in optimizing thermal efficiency. These findings offer valuable insights for improving SAGD operations, providing a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for ultra-heavy oil reservoirs.