Experiments on Steam Injection into Preformed Steam Chambers of Various Shapes for Maximum Condensate Recovery.

In this work, we experimentally show the existence of optimal injected steam mass flow rates, per unit length, φ*, which produce the maximal recovery of condensate in preformed steam chambers with elliptical and circular cross sections. In all cases these preformed chambers were manufactured in very massive iron slabs where we found the existence of unique optimal values. These configurations try to recreate the steam condensation at a given time-lapse, as it would occur during the growth stage of the steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process: a method used in the recovery of heavy and extra-heavy oil from homogeneous reservoirs. Finding the optimal mass flow rates in the actual recovery process could be useful in the design of optimized SAGD processes where energy and water waste are minimized.