Application of Fourier Transform for Determining Thermal Method Frequency in Heavy Oil Production

Abstract

For wells producing heavy oil, where thermal methods are applied, it is very important to know the frequency of their application. This is especially significant in the case of cyclic application of thermal methods to maintain the planned well production. Data on the previous production history provide an excellent basis for determining the optimal frequency. The Fourier transform enables the determination of the frequency of a particular phenomenon. By determining the absolute values of the elements of the Fourier series, the dominant frequency and lower-order harmonics that define the cyclic occurrence of a phenomenon can be identified. In practice, the procedure is reduced to calculating the amplitude of a specific phenomenon. This paper presents a practical application of the Fourier transform for determining the frequency of performed thermal methods at oil field T.