Experimental Validation of Hydrogen Peroxide Injection for Heavy Oil Recovery: Insights from Medium-Scale Combustion Tube Test

Abstract Following the numerical and economic evaluation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) injection for heavy oil recovery, experimental validation is essential to reduce uncertainties and optimize field implementation. This study evaluates H2O2 through combustion tube (CT) testing, focusing on kinetic model validation, catalyst performance, and the effectiveness of H2O2 as a thermal EOR agent. The results refine numerical models and confirm the scalability of this technology for field applications, demonstrating its feasibility as an alternative to conventional thermal recovery methods. A medium-pressure combustion tube (MPCT) test was conducted to replicate peroxide-driven oxidation and assess its impact on reservoir heating and oil displacement. The experiment was designed to evaluate multiple H2O2 injection cycles, catalyst efficiency, and the transition to in situ combustion (ISC). Experimental variables included core type, peroxide concentration, injection rates, and thermal front movement. The data obtained were used for history matching with numerical simulations, refining reaction kinetics, and improving process predictability in a field-scale hydrodynamic model. The CT test validated the efficiency of H2O2 injection in generating controlled thermal effects, enhancing oil mobility, and initiating ISC. Catalyst-assisted peroxide decomposition resulted in localized heat generation, significantly reducing the required activation energy for oxidation reactions. Oil displacement efficiency was found to be highly dependent on permeability, peroxide concentration, and cyclic injection strategy. While higher peroxide concentrations accelerated thermal propagation, excessive oxygen production posed potential risks to well integrity. The test also demonstrated that a hybrid peroxide-oil injection cycle effectively maximized recovery by creating a uniform sweep and extending ISC front propagation. These experimental insights were later integrated into a field-scale model, confirming the feasibility of H2O2 – based thermal EOR under specific geological conditions. This study provides the first comprehensive experimental validation of hydrogen H2O2 injection for heavy oil recovery using CT tests. By bridging the gap between theoretical modeling and field application, it enhances the understanding of peroxide decomposition kinetics, catalyst behavior, and process scalability. The findings contribute new insights into peroxide-driven ISC initiation, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional thermal EOR methods such as steam injection.