Recent Developments in the CO2-Cyclic Solvent Injection Process to Improve Oil Recovery from Poorly Cemented Heavy Oil Reservoirs: The Case of Canadian Reservoirs

One of the limitations of Cold Heavy Oil Production with Sand (CHOPS) is the low recovery factor (5–15%). To target the remaining 85–95% heavy oil resources, several enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques, such as cyclic solvent injection (CSI), have been proposed. Due to its potential success in Canada and elsewhere, this paper reviews the technical and efficiency requirements of CSI EOR in post-CHOPS heavy oil reservoirs. We explain the dominant driving mechanisms of CSI with a focus on the application of CO2 as a solvent. Limitations of current thermal and non-thermal EOR methods were compared to the CSI in thin oil reservoirs. To complete the assessment, several case studies and lessons learned were included based on the latest laboratory experiments, numerical studies, and CSI pilot/field tests. Specific to thin and shallow heavy oil reservoirs with sand production (e.g., CHOPS), the key to recover incremental oil was found to re-energize depleted reservoirs in a cyclic manner with unexpensive solvents (e.g., CO2). Regarding the solvent use, laboratory experiences have not been conclusive about what solvent stream could improve oil recovery. To this end, successful field scale CO2 EOR applications have been reported in several post-CHOPS reservoirs indicating that highly productive wells during primary production might also outperform during a follow up CSI process. Numerical modeling still faces challenges to properly model the main CSI driving mechanisms, including fluid–solvent interaction and the deformation of subsurface reservoirs.