DEVELOPMENT OF THE IN-SITU COMBUSTION PROCESS ON AN INDUSTRIAL SCALE AT VIDELE FIELD, RUMANIA.

The Sarmatian 3 Videle field is among the largest heavy-oil reservoirs currently known in the world. The oil viscosity under reservoir conditions ranges from 30 to 120 cp left bracket 30 to 120 mPa multiplied by (times) s right bracket . There are three producing horizons: Sarmatian 3a and 3b, partially overlying Sarmatian 3c. The field was discovered in 1959. During 1964-76, a water-injection project was gradually expanded to the whole reservoir area. The average oil recovery at the present time is about 13%, and the producing wells are approaching the economic limit-the producing oil/water ratio is higher than 25. For this reason, it was decided to study the feasibility of producing the field by in-situ combustion to recover additional tertiary oil. To obtain the necessary data, three field combustion pilots located upstructure in various areas of the reservoir are being operated. The performance of the three tests is presented and discussed.