Paper: NOVEL REVERES EMULSION BREAKER TECHNOLOGY FOR SAGD FLUID SEPARATION

Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) processes have been shown to produce extremely stable reverse (oil-in-water) emulsions. Although Invert Emulsion Polymer (IEP) technology has proven to be cost effective, IEPs pose application challenges requiring make-down water and auxiliary equipment, incurring additional cost and logistical challenges. A novel reverse emulsion breaker (REB) has been developed and implemented successfully that offers reduced application monitoring, reduced equipment needs, improved handling and product stability over IEPs. Extensive synthesis efforts and on-site bottle test development resulted in a breakthrough chemical treatment with high demonstrable efficacy in multiple SAGD commercial plants in Northeast Alberta, Canada. The new product met and exceeded all the key performance indicators (KPI) with respect to quality of oil, water, and oil-water interface. Other benefits included a reduction in equipment and handling requirements. This technical presentation summarizes the development and the successful field trials conducted in 2006 and 2007