Geologic conditions of prospecting and development of high viscocity oils and natural bitumen

Abstract

The current state of study of high-viscosity oil and natural bitumen allows to claim with confidence that they significantly differ from common oil. They differ by the chemical composition, physical and chemical properties, structure of a deposit and a collector, as well as by the structure of a pore space and the structure of liquid saturation. Therefore the methods and approaches used by the searches, exploration and development of the traditional oil pools can't directly be implemented on the deposits of high-viscosity oil and natural bitumen. Thus, it is necessary to develop an evidence-based approach which will consider their specifics for successful searches, exploration and effective development of the deposits of high-viscosity oil and natural bitumen.

Profound study of geological aspects of the bitumen deposits bedding conditions allowed toallocate the expected criteria for the zone and local forecast of oil-bearing. It is established how features of a geological structure of high-viscosity oil and natural bitumen deposits can influence an assessment of their stocks. It is considered that structure of a pore space and the structure of liquid saturation influences a choice of methods in development of the deposits of high-viscosity oil. The result of the conducted research gives the chance to draw a conclusion on inexpediency of high-viscosity oil and natural bitumen deposits development by means of classical flooding and pumping of gaseous agents.