Modeling of Microwave Heating and Oil Filtration in Stratum

Extraction of high-viscosity oil and bitumen is an important practical problem, because the reserves of such deposits are significant, and their role in common stocks of organic raw materials is constantly increasing. However, on account of the high viscosity of oil, and but also because of frequent blockage bottomhole zone due to sediments of colloidal surfaceactive components of oil extraction is becomes possible only after preliminary heat treatment of the stratum. Traditional methods of thermal treatment hot steam or hot liquid are in this case ineffective. Moreover, their widespread use may lead to severe environmental consequences in the form of violations of the hydrogeological environment. One of the promising methods of thermal treatment is an electromagnetic heating of the productive layers. Due to deep penetration and the volumetric heat release, and absence of coolant, electromagnetic radiation can provide (compared to traditional methods) high speed and uniform heating, the possibility of optimal control and automation of technological processes, virtually eliminate the harmful effects on the environment. The results of laboratory and field trials in Russia (Sayakhov et al., 1970, Makogon et al., 1989, Sayakhov et al., 2002) and practical experience of using this technology on an industrial scale in the U.S. and Canada (Da Mata et al., 1997, Vermeulen & McGee, 2000, Sahni et al., 2000, Chhetri & Islam, 2008) show perspective utility of this trend. However, the effective realization of these opportunities is hindered by the lack of reliable data on the study of heat and mass transfer processes in multiphase media, typical for the oil and gas technologies, when subjected to these media microwave electromagnetic radiation. The main objective is to determine optimal modes of stimulation, namely: the frequency and power of a source of microwave radiation, the parameters of the antenna, the possibility of using nonlinear properties of the medium to enhance impact on the models as close as possible to real conditions. In Russia, work on the effects of high frequency electromagnetic radiation on the oil reservoir was started in the late 60-ies by a team from Bashkir State University under the leadership of F.L. Sayakhov (Sayakhov et al., 1970, Sayakhov et al., 1975). Their industrialscale plant was successful tested at Sushuglinsk' and Mordovo-Karmalsk' oilfields. At this industrial-scale plant, the electromagnetic energy from the high-frequency generator for the feeder (two coaxial tubes) is inserted into the well. The outer sheath of coaxial cable joins the casing and the central thread cable to the tubing at a depth of about 5 meters, so that the