Phase: |
Theme |
Theme: | Heavy Oil - In-Situ (T07) |
Status: | Active |
Start Date: | 2025-01-01 |
End Date: | 2026-08-31 |
Principal Investigator |
Nouri, Alireza |
Highly Qualified Personnel
Project Overview
This research project focuses on the simultaneous extraction of bitumen and heat from post-Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) reservoirs. It utilizes residual heat for electricity generation through the patented Clean Power SAGD (CP-SAGD) technology. The process complements CP-SAGD by recovering heat from the steam plant flue gas and injecting non-condensable gas (NCG) into the CP-SAGD reservoir. The NCG may consist of flue gas collected from the steam plant stacks or CO₂ or N₂ removed from flue gas , depending on the industrial partners' carbon capture and sequestration strategies.
The technology serves multiple purposes:
- Reservoir Pressure Support – Prevents steam influx from neighboring pads into the CP-SAGD pad.
- Heat Support – Extends the lifespan of CP-SAGD by introducing hot NCG gas into the reservoir.
- Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) – Uses NCG gas to facilitate the extraction of green bitumen.
- Emissions Reduction – Sequesters a portion of the steam plant’s flue gas emissions into the reservoir, reducing the environmental footprint of SAGD operations.
This research provides an innovative approach to harnessing residual thermal energy from retired reservoirs, contributing to sustainable energy production for both power and bitumen. The project requires no additional land, excavation, drilling, or new construction. As a purely heat transfer-based process, it involves no combustion, eliminating air consumption and emissions. Stainless steel tubing is installed inside existing wells, where clean water circulates in a sealed, closed-loop heat transfer system to extract heat from the reservoir and operate an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system.
To optimize heat recovery efficiency and well configurations, the process is studied through mathematical modeling, engineering analysis, and simulations using CMG STARS software. Key further research areas include analyzing the interaction between NCG and reservoir fluids and rocks, as well as understanding the behavior of NCG within the reservoir.
Outputs
Title |
Category |
Date |
Authors |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POST-SAGD STEAM-LESS GREEN BITUMEN RECOVERY AND CLEAN POWER GENERATIONAlireza Nouri, Mahmood Salimi, and Bruce Peachey, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POST-SAGD STEAM-LESS GREEN BITUMEN RECOVERY AND CLEAN POWER GENERATION
Inventors: Alireza Nouri, Mahmood Salimi, and Bruce R Peachey
Our Reference: 2024-061-02
Filed: June 16, 2025 University of Alberta | IP Management | 2025-06-16 | Nouri, A., Mahmood Salimi, Bruce Peachey |
Formation Damage in SAGD: A Review of Experimental Modelling TechniquesThis review investigates formation damage mechanisms in SAGD operations, focusing on near-wellbore effects induced by high temperature and pressure. It synthesizes experimental observations and modeling approaches addressing fines migration, inorganic scaling, wettability alteration, and mineral transformations. The paper proposes a new experimental framework to evaluate formation damage in SAGD wells and guide mitigation strategies. This research was funded by Future Energy Systems (FES) under the project “Thermal Well Design and Testing (T07-P03)”. University of Alberta | Publication | 2025-02-12 | Fernando Rengifo Barbosa, Miri, R., Nouri, A. |
Innovative In Situ Combustion Technique: Dynamic Interval Air Injection (DIAI) for Enhanced Oil RecoveryThis study proposes a novel enhancement to the Toe-to-Heel Air Injection (THAI) process through Dynamic Interval Air Injection (DIAI), which dynamically adjusts injection zones to enhance combustion progression and oil recovery. Lab- and field-scale modeling demonstrated a 3.5-fold increase in oil displacement and improved oxygen efficiency compared to conventional THAI, highlighting DIAI’s potential for optimizing ISC performance. Funding for this work was provided by Future Energy Systems (FES) program under the project “Thermal Well Design and Testing (T07-P03)”. University of Alberta | Publication | 2025-07-21 | Juan David Antolinez Jimenez, Miri, R., Mahmood Salimi, Nouri, A. |
Thermal Effects on Fines Migration: Insights from Sand Pack ExperimentsThis study investigates the influence of thermal and salinity variations on fines migration in SAGD reservoirs through high-pressure, high-temperature sand retention testing (SRT). Laboratory experiments with synthetic sand mixtures and slotted liner coupons revealed how repulsive electrostatic forces influence fines mobilization, transport, and retention. Findings provide insights into designing field strategies to mitigate permeability impairment and enhance oil recovery. This research was funded by Future Energy Systems (FES) under the project “Thermal Well Design and Testing (T07-P03)” University of Alberta | Publication | 2025-07-01 | Fernando Rengifo Barbosa, Miri, R., Mahmood Salimi, Nouri, A. |