The heat and mass transfer characteristics of superheated steam in horizontal wells with toe-point injection technique

Abstract

Little efforts were done on the heat and mass transfer characteristics of superheated steam (SHS) flow in the horizontal wellbores. In this paper, a novel numerical model is presented to analyze the heat and mass transfer characteristics of SHS in horizontal wellbores with toe-point injection technique. Firstly, with consideration of heat exchange between inner tubing (IT) and annuli, a pipe flow model of SHS flow in IT and annuli is developed with energy and momentum balance equations. Secondly, coupled with the transient heat transfer model in oil layer, a comprehensive mathematical model for predicting distributions of pressure and temperature of SHS in IT and annuli is established. Then, type curves are obtained with numerical methods and iteration technique, and sensitivity analysis is conducted. The results show that (1). The decrease in SHS temperature in annuli caused by heat and mass transfer to oil layer is offset by heat absorbtion from SHS in IT. (2). SHS temperature in both IT and annuli increases with the increase in injection pressure. (3). IT heat loss rate decreases with the increases in injection pressure. (4). Increasing pressure can improve development effect.