Analysis of the steam-thermal treatment at the Karazhanbas field

The article describes the main features of the geological structure of the Jurassic-Cretaceous productive strata of the Karazhanbas field, located on the Buzachi Peninsula (Western Kazakhstan), and the effectiveness of thermal methods and their modifications to enhance oil recovery, which have been used in the field since the 80s of the last century. The use of thermal steam stimulation in the form of thermal slugs allows not only to cover most of the formation with thermal steam stimulation by switching to unheated water injection in a number of wells and transferring steam injection to other wells, but also to intensify the movement of the thermal slug in the formation during the cold water injection process. As a result, the steam-oil ratio when using thermal rims and increasing the steam injection rate can be several times less than with continuous slow steam injection. The use of thermal steam treatment allows increasing oil recovery by 35–45% of the initial balance oil reserves. Testing and implementation of new equipment and technology, as well as the study of world experience in the development of high-viscosity oil are currently relevant for the development of the Karazhanbas field.

well, oil production, high-viscosity oil, thermal methods, in-situ combustion, thermal steam treatment, thermogravitational drainage, oil increment