This project will investigate a novel high thermal-insulating value evacuated steam injection tubular. The Phase I objectives were to define the theoretical design performance of the tubular and to construct a semi-scale tubular prototype in the laboratory. Phase I results demonstrated proof-of-concept, and the tubular is now estimated to have wellbore heat losses nearly 50% less than the current state-of-the-art vacuum insulated tubulars, with a longer usable product life and reduced outgassing concerns. Phase II will investigate design variables related to scale-up, engineering design, accelerated aging simulation, and manufacturing methods. If Phase II development confirms the promising results obtained in Phase I, preliminary cost estimates for the new tubular suggest that production costs are likely to be 30% less than current vacuum insulated steam injection tubulars.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:Successful development of this technology will result in a steam injection tubular with heat losses nearly 50% less than the best currently availabletubulars. This will result in greater crude oil recovery in steamflood operations, while reducing fuel consumption required to generate steam, and correspondingly reduced atmospheric pollution. The first companies likely to benefit from this new insulation technology are established heavy oil producers in southern California. However, the potential for the greatest total recovery of heavy oil may well be on the North Slope of Alaska where heavy oil deposits exceed 50 billion barrels in place.
