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. The problem is the Permafrost effect, and its elimination, without any Permafrost melting, would boost domestic reserves by 28 MMBO and extend the life of the trans-Alaskan pipeline system 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 will include: (1) a review of various approaches, previously considered and rejected; (2) a calculation of complex heat transfer processes in a multi-lateral well, equipped with 4 to 8 branch-wells that are sequentially operated in Cyclic Steam Injection and Production; (3) the preparation of an equipment list and detailed specifications for construction of the multi-lateral well; and (4) a simplified reservoir engineering analysis of a thermal oil recovery process, applicable to Alaskan North Slope heavy oils.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: A large increase in domestic oil production from the Alaskan North Slope should slow U.S. dependence upon imported oil from un-stable suppliers, with little environmental impact
