Thermal Recovery of North Slope (AK) Heavy-Oils from Ugnu and West Sak Sands is Feasible without Permafrost Melting around Multi-Branch Wells

75575B The existence, on the North Slope (AK) of two very large, shallow, heavy oil sands has been known since 1985. These are the Ugnu (8-12 API), at depths of 2,000 to 5,000 ft, and the West Sak (16-22 API), from 2,300 to 5,500 ft, both overlaying the Kuparuk field (which has been producing since 1981) and under-laying 1,800 ft of Permafrost. With combined oil-in-place over 40 MMBO, its recovery by a current ¿Cold Production¿ method is limited to 5%. By comparison, recoveries equal 70% in the Midway-Sunset (CA), using cyclic steam injection in multi-branch wells. If the steam could be injected through the Permafrost without any melting, domestic reserves would boosted by 28 MMBO and the life of the trans-Alaskan pipeline system would be extended by nearly 40 years, with little negative impact. This project will use engineering calculations, materials specifications, prototype fabrication and testing, and reliable cost estimates to demonstrate that this goal is now reachable. Phase I showed that steam injection could achieved by means of "super-insulated" well tubulars, which would prevent the Permafrost from melting. Heat transfer calculations showed that a cold, dry, gas-stream circulation would sub-cool the Permafrost. In Phase II, short-length prototypes of such tubular joints will be built and tested. Simultaneously, detailed specifications and welding protocols will be developed. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new technology should permit a large increase in domestic oil production from the Alaskan North Slope with little environmental impact. The increased supply should slow U.S. dependence upon imported oil from un-stable sources.