Advances in Understanding Thermally Assisted GOGD

The connected fracture network in densely fractured reservoirs has a strong impact on reservoir<br>displacement mechanisms. Due to the high fracture permeability no significant pressure differentials<br>across oil bearing matrix blocks can be established to drive oil from matrix into the fracture. One has to<br>rely on natural mechanisms like capillary imbibition or gravity to recover oil from the matrix rock. Often<br>the matrix rock is oil-wet or mixed wet and only gravity drainage remains a feasible process. Usually,<br>however, permeabilities are low, <10 mDarcy, resulting in low gravity drainage production rates with high<br>remaining oil saturation and/or capillary holdup.