We frequently talk about the benefits of co-injecting steam & flue gas with our Direct Contact Steam Generation (DCSG) technology but sometimes, it’s just better to let others do the talking!
Attached is an excellent summary of the benefits of steam & flue gas injection in a paper titled: “Combining Steam and Flue Gas as a Strategy to Support Energy Efficiency: A Comprehensive Review of the Associated Mechanisms” by Perez R.; Osma L.; Garcia Duarte H.A. (ACS Omega. 2024 Mar 27;9(14))
- “Reduction in crude oil viscosity due to heat transfer and CO2 solubilization in the oil (under proper conditions). Viscosity reductions of up to 70% are reported when CO2 is solubilized in crude oil associated with the increase in oil volume.”
- “Decreased heat losses and expansion of the heating zone due to the low thermal conductivity of N2 and the difference in densities. Such gas tends to be positioned in the upper strata of the formation contributing to the decrease of heat losses and favoring the increase of the heating zone.”
- “Increased reservoir pressure due to the nitrogen content, due to its low solubility in oil, low compressibility, and low-pressure conditions (typically handled in most of these types of processes), supplies energy to the formation”
- “Compositional change associated aquathermolysis.”
You can find the full paper at the link below. We definitely recommend a full read.