15 “Material Selection Challenges for Frictionally-Constrained Downhole Tubulars in Thermal EOR Applications” M.D. Allen, B. Daniel, D.Dall’Acqua, and A.I. (Sandy) Williamson, NACE Northern Area Conference, February 2008, Edmonton, Alberta
ABSTRACT
Thermal recovery methods are widely used for extracting bitumen reserves in Western Canada. Commonly-used in-situ thermal processes such as steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) involve injection of steam at elevated temperatures, generation of H2S and CO2 as bitumen is produced, and operational features that result in cyclic thermal loading of downhole tubulars. Cemented intermediate casing and formation-constrained horizontal liner strings face the greatest challenge from a tubular design standpoint, as thermally-induced axial loads can cause full-body pipe yielding and severe loading of threaded connections. This paper outlines unique material selection challenges for frictionally-constrained tubulars in thermal recovery applications, which include mitigation of stress corrosion cracking damage mechanisms and minimization of post-yield deformations of the pipe structure.