Direct Contact Steam Generation (DCSG)

GERI’s Direct Contact Steam Generation (DCSG) co-injector combusts pressurized air and natural gas in direct contact with water, resulting in a single product stream of steam (or hot produced water) and flue gases.

This single stream of steam (or hot water) and flue gases is injected downhole, simultaneously heating and re-pressurizing the oil reservoir.

GERI's DCSG Co-Injector Process Flow

View Full Image

GERI’s portable DCSG co-injector is supported by GERI-owned process modules (air and fuel compressors, electrical generators, tanks). These modules are supplied by GERI, but alternatively, air and fuel compression and electrical requirements can be provided by the customer.

GERI's DCSG Site Elements

View Full Image

GERI’s DCSG Co-Injector Capabilities

GERI’s co-injector can generate two distinct products delivered either continuously or intermittently (including in non-thermally cased and cemented wells by using GERI’s CasingCooler technology):

Steam combined with flue gases

  • Heat rate of 10.5 GJ/hr
  • Steam rate of 100 m³/d (CWE*) at 240°C and 80% steam quality
  • Non-condensable flue gas injection of 60 e³m³/d
  • Wellhead injection pressures up to 6.1 MPa

Hot produced water with flue gases

  • Heat rate of 5.2 GJ/Hr
  • Hot produced water rate of 430 m³/d at 85°C
  • Customizable non-condensable flue gas injection rate between 0 and 28 e³m³/d
  • Wellhead injection pressures up to 6.1 MPa

* Cold Water Equivalent

GERI's patent-pending Annular Cooling Loop provides the ability to steam non-thermally cased and cemented wellbores.

Implementations around the Lloydminster area have shown a maximum annular temperature of 60°C during steaming operations. The system operates as a closed loop with the ability to add additional makeup water if required.

Benefits (vs traditional EOR technologies)

Increased Oil Recovery

Field-proven results of a Steam Oil Ratio (SOR) as low as 0.6, and up to a 300% increase in oil production.

Lower Emissions and Environmental Impact

Emits up to 67% less greenhouse gases than conventional Once-Through Steam Generation (OTSG) by injecting exhaust gases downhole rather than venting to atmosphere.**

Uses less than half the fresh water when generating steam, compared to conventional OTSG.**

Completely eliminates freshwater usage when utilizing produced water for hot water (with flue gases) generation.

Limits ground disturbance and energy / resource intensive drilling and construction by using existing wellbores and well sites.

**Per barrel of oil produced. Reservoir & electricity-source dependent. In Cyclic Steam & Flue Gas pilots, approximately 70% of CO2 remained underground following an injection and production cycle.

Reduced Costs and Quick Deployment

  • Uses portable modules as opposed to costly permanent infrastructure.
  • Minimizes lengthy environmental and land-use applications by using existing well leases.
  • Significantly reduces water procurement costs when generating hot water using produced water.
  • Reduces feed-water treatment costs (when generating steam) due to a higher tolerance for total dissolved solids (TDS) and particulates.