Downhole Catalytic Upgradation of Heavy Oil

There are currently vast reserves of heavy oil/natural bitumen in the world, offering a potential boost to energy supplies in the next decade as conventional light oil reservoirs run low. However, recovering and upgrading these sources present an immense technological challenge, due primarily to their high viscosity at reservoir conditions. Currently, inefficient and expensive surface mining techniques are the main methods employed which are associated with a high environmental impact.

Technologies such as Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) and Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) are in commercial use, however, the oil produced from these technologies needs expensive surface upgrading and steam consumption is particularly high. Toe-to-Heel Air Injection, or THAI, along with CAtalytic upgrading PRocess In-situ, or CAPRI, offers very high recovery rates along with significant upgrading of the produced oil which adds to the value of produced oil. In the present study, the various In-situ upgrading techniques and the various advantages of THAI-CAPRI are discussed in details.