Geothermal Exploitation Achieved by Injection of Supercritical CO2 Into Deep Heavy Oil

After thermal flooding, deep heavy oil reservoirs retain plenty of heat and oil. Supercritical CO₂ (SCCO₂) emerges as an optimal heat-carrying fluid and enhances heavy oil extraction because of its high mobility and unique thermal properties. A comprehensive model of geothermal exploitation for depleted deep heavy oil reservoirs using SCCO₂ injection is described in the complete paper.

SCCO2 Potential in Geothermal Exploitation

In recent years, the development of many deep heavy oil reservoirs has been completed using steam huff ’n’ puff. However, the substantial contrast in physical properties between steam and heavy oil intensifies the occurrence of viscous fingering.