The Study and Application for Heating Depth Optimization of Electrical Heating Tubing

Wax issue frequently occurs in heavy oil production due to high wax composition and high pour point, while production time efficiency achieves 98% through utility of electrical heating oil tube technology. However, the heating energy consumption could be up to 800 kW·h, which is 4–5 times to regular pumping unit energy consumption. In order to achieve energy saving production in electrical heating oil tube well, the heating depth optimization technology was researched. In this article, the mathematical model of viscosity-reduce lifting technique through electrical heating was built based on the unsteady heat conduct theory. The temperature field in electric heating well and the distribution of viscosity resistance along wellbore are simulated. According to the analysis of the distribution of viscosity resistance along pumping rod, the viscosity resistance is chiefly above the freezing point of crude oil, so the optimal heating depth is raised from waxing point to freezing point. Thus the electrical heating oil tube length is shortened and the energy consumption of electric heating device falls down 55%. The heating depth optimization technology of electric heating oil tube well given in this paper can provide a scientific basis for the high efficient and energy saving development to heavy oil well.