Select Eor PDF

last AS SEEN IN
WORD APRIL 2014
Selecting the best EOR technique

Operators should consider EOR in the early stages of field-development
planning to maximize asset returns.
for a particular field. A predictive reservoir model is a

Tomi Owodunni, Schlumberger
must for understanding the dynamic behavior of reser-
voir fluids, including EOR agents, and for optimizing
W ith operators investing increasingly in hard-to-

reach hydrocarbons, a greater emphasis has been
placed on recovery optimization. Technological advances
injection and production options. Three-phase 3-D sim-
ulations are used to model EOR techniques. The Petrel
E&P software platform and ECLIPSE reservoir simula-
have made economical the additional recovery of identi- tion software can be used to create multiscale reservoir
fied reserves, the planning for which should be consid- models that deliver greater predictive and analytical
ered as early as possible in the life of a reservoir. power. This improved reservoir characterization is essen-
Buoyant oil prices, the growing international demand tial for optimal EOR technique planning.
for oil, and declining oilfield productivity all highlight Running through different EOR scenarios digitally is
the need for improved and accelerated recovery. The an ideal way to mitigate the risks associated with these
global average oilfield recovery factor is approximately decisions and will increase confidence in reservoir
40%. This results in large volumes of unproduced yet
identified hydrocarbons.
For decades the industry has been employing a num-
ber of different EOR techniques, but generally only in Buoyant oil prices, the growing
large land fields that can support a large infrastructure
and justify a major investment. Although the fundamen- international demand for oil, and
tal physics of EOR – how to mobilize oil within the pore
system – are well known, we are now seeing significant
declining oilfield productivity all
advances in other enablers such as reservoir characteri- highlight the need for improved
zation, reservoir-scale monitoring, well placement,
smart completions, and new EOR agents. All of these and accelerated recovery.
developments provide the opportunity to make EOR
more successful.
North America has the largest number of EOR proj-
ects today, but operators in the oil-rich Middle East are strategy and recovery planning. Major unknowns such
launching similar schemes. In addition, giant oil fields are as formation heterogeneity can be evaluated using
now being considered for EOR earlier in their life cycles. multiple iterations with different parameters. It is possi-
This is an important point: Rather than considering EOR ble to compare expected costs and project economics
as part of a reactive, late-life field strategy, consideration is with the base case of continued production without
being given to the most suitable EOR methodology dur- EOR. If the simulation indicates that the project meets
ing the earliest stages of field development. This proac- technical and financial requirements, then it can be
tive approach will save money, boost ultimate recovery, used to design subsequent pilot projects.
and ensure maximum return on investment. EOR projects are currently among the most complex
Making the right selection when it comes to EOR and difficult undertakings in the upstream industry. Suc-
techniques is crucial. There are a number of different cess lies in improving the efficiency in every step of the
choices in this regard, including chemical methods, mis- process by synchronizing diverse measurements, apply-
cible and immiscible gas flooding, and thermal recovery ing advanced technologies, and integrating knowledge
methods. The correct choice of EOR strategy goes a across multiple domains. Comprehensive reservoir simu-
long way toward optimizing eventual recovery. lation supports efficient decision-making at every stage
Advanced reservoir simulation software is the most of the EOR workflow, from concept selection to full-field
reliable approach in selecting the best EOR technique implementation.
COPYRIGHT © HART ENERGY | 1616 S. VOSS, STE. 1000, HOUSTON, TX 77057 USA | +1 713 260 6400 | FAX +1 713 840 8585

Select Eor PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Select Eor PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Select Eor PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

last AS SEEN IN

WORD APRIL 2014

Selecting the best EOR technique

for a particular field. A predictive reservoir model is a

W ith operators investing increasingly in hard-to-

You might also like