Step 1: What is in-situ combustion?
It is a thermal EOR method where a portion of the reservoir oil is ignited; the combustion front moves through the formation, generating heat. Step 2: Why for heavy oil?
Heavy oils are highly viscous; heating dramatically lowers viscosity and improves mobility and displacement efficiency. The generated flue gases also aid drive. Step 3: Eliminate other options.
Gas condensate and light-oil reservoirs already have good mobility; thermal methods are unnecessary or inefficient compared to gas or miscible processes. “Brown oil” is not a distinct fluid type for which thermal EOR is preferred.
Conclusion: In-situ combustion is best suited to heavy oil reservoirs.