INVITATION

The Petroleum Recovery Institute, Nordic Engineering, CERI and Petro-Canada invite you to attend a presentation on novel strategies for the development of full project engineering and economics for the Vapex process.

Date: Thursday October 9, 1997
Time: 2-4 PM
Location: Petro-Canada West Tower 17^th Floor, 150 - 6^th Avenue S.W .
Calgary, Room 17-BC

Background
With the Vapex process, vaporized hydrocarbon solvents are injected into heavy oil and bitumen reservoirs. The oil is diluted with the solvent and drains by gravity to a horizontal production well. Recent research has indicated that the process has the potential to be energy efficient, environmentally friendly and causes in-situ upgrading of the oil. Petroleum Recovery Institute and 12 industry participants are investigating the detailed mechanisms of the process and developing a predictive reservoir model. Earlier publications by Petroleum Recovery Institute staff have provided "macro" screening criteria for choice of reservoirs potentially prospective for recovery with the Vapex Process. The project will develop the well completions and surface facilities engineering design and cost estimate for a Vapex process applied in a prospective heavy oil and oil sands reservoir. The PRI model will predict the reservoir performance. The economics of applying the Vapex process will be calculated to provide the supply cost of heavy oil or bitumen using the Vapex process. Three prospective solvents will be screened for most economic applicationProject Goal

The goal of the project is to develop the economics of the Vapex process on a supply cost basis for a heavy oil and oil sands application with comparison between three potential solvents.Scope of the Project

• Design Vapex well completions and surface facilities;
• Predict Vapex production/injection rates for heavy oil and oil sands;
• Predict reservoir performance with three prospective solvents;
• Conduct an economic analysis to provide a supply cost of oil produced; and
• Provide a final report with well and facilities design and economics.

Project Cost
$200,000 (among 10 participants with potential matching government funding)Benefits

The Vapex process is a potential future competitor to replace thermal methods (i.e.: SAGD) or to be used in reservoir situations where thermal methods are not prospective (i.e.: thin reservoirs). The economic analysis will provide a quantitative indication of the potential Vapex performance. The project result will also provide a guide to further research needed to improve the Vapex process.