ChevronTexaco, Total and Schlumberger have formed a joint initiative for R&D of thermal simulation technology aimed at improving recovery efficiencies in heavy oil reservoirs.

The two-year collaborative project will take advantage of the next generation reservoir simulation technology currently being developed by ChevronTexaco and Schlumberger under their ‘Intersect’ research project.

At the heart of this technology are a parallel architecture and simulation algorithms, built to capitalize on advances in software and hardware technologies, parallel computing, advanced gridding and modern software engineering techniques.

The results of the joint R&D will be commercialized by Schlumberger and subsequently made available to exploration and production operators as a part of its next generation suite of simulation software products.

The collaboration is expected to enable new insights in the characterization and control of thermal recovery processes, which the companies hope will result in enhanced economic performance of operators involved in developing and producing in heavy oil regions.

Total is very pleased with this cooperation which will blend worldwide complementary expertise of the three partners. I am very confident this will greatly contribute in reaching the group’s objectives in terms of heavy oil production, said A Lehner, geoscience vice president of fields reserves development at Total.