Existing problems for steam-based enhanced oil recovery processes in heavy oil reservoirs

Abstract Steam-based enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes for heavy oil reservoirs include cyclic steam stimulation, steam flooding, and steam-assisted gravity drainage. After their long-term development, a series of problems may arise. These problems usually have an important role in screening follow-up recovery for heavy oil reservoirs. This chapter provides an overview of problems that occur in steam-based recovery, including steam overlap, steam breakthrough, and steam–rock interactions. In addition, during steam injection, because of lengthy interactions between steam and the formation rock, the problems of fine migration, mineral dissolution, and clay swelling are challenging. At a later stage of steam injection, water coning and the distribution of remaining oil saturation are two other important problems that must be addressed. Understanding these problems helps in the development of hybrid EOR processes in later chapters.