Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w. e l s ev i e r. c o m / l o c a t e / p e t r o l

Analysis of EOR projects and updated screening criteria

Ahmad Al Adasani a, b, Baojun Bai b,⁎
a
Kuwait Oil Company, Kuwait
b
Petroleum Engineering Department, Missouri University of Science and Technology, United States

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) provides a means to progressively expand hydrocarbon exploitation through
Received 31 January 2010 scientific advancements. EOR methods have been proved to mobilize, and induce the flow of oil to producing
Accepted 20 July 2011 wells in primary, secondary, and tertiary recovery stages. This work involves the construction of an EOR
Available online 29 July 2011
database based on numerous reported EOR projects. The database lists reservoir rock and fluid properties in
addition to other project attributes related to oil saturations, incremental recovery, demography, and project
Keywords:
EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery)
start date. The database provides a profile of worldwide EOR trends. This paper also updates the EOR selection
thermal EOR criteria published by Taber et al. in 1996 (Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) 35385). Finally, this paper
gas EOR illustrates the relationship of EOR project distribution to key reservoir characteristics. The database can be a
chemical EOR vital tool for formulating field development plans, ensuring project viability, and clarifying research
microbial EOR development priorities.
EOR screening criteria Published by Elsevier B.V.

1. Introduction
The demand for oil is increasing, and oil is expected to remain the
predominant form of energy used worldwide for the next two decades
(Anonymous, 2007; Marilyn and Bell, 2009). EOR involves the
application of external forces, and substances to manipulate chemical
and physical interactions in hydrocarbon reservoirs in a manner that
promotes favorable recovery conditions.
EOR can be applied in the first stage of an oilfield development in
cases where natural reservoir forces are inadequate to induce the flow
of oil to producing wells, such as thermal flooding for heavy oil
reservoirs. EOR has also been adopted in the second stage to further
augment production rates by promoting oil flow, and favorable
recovery conditions, such as CO2 flooding. Additionally, EOR methods
are often used in the tertiary stage in cases where oilfields have high
water cut and low oil production rate. Therefore, EOR has the
potential to reclassify unrecoverable and contingent reserves in
amounts exceeding the quantity of oil currently produced.
In the past four decades, several EOR methods have proved viable
in field development projects, permitting incremental recovery, while
excluding both dry hole and completion costs, and using existing
infrastructure.
Despite the implementation of over six hundred EOR projects since
1959 (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002;
Anonymous, 2006; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004),
the use of EOR remains limited worldwide. For example, the United
⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: + 1 573 3414016.
E-mail address: baib@mst.edu (B. Bai).
States (US) leads the world in EOR project implementation; however,
EOR production constitutes only a fraction of total oil daily production.
The implementation and development of any recovery methodology,
especially on a field-wide scale, depends on confidence in its efficacy. To
establish such confidence, an in-depth analysis of EOR projects is
required.
The guidance available for the selection of EOR methods (Taber
et al., 1996) is widely cited but does not include several EOR methods
and projects that have been reported in the past fifteen years.
Microbial
0.61%
Chemical
10.89%
Gas
40.80%
Thermal
47.70%
Fig. 1. World EOR project categories (1959–2010).
(Data Adtoped from from Reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous,
2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin
et al., 2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; Taber
et al., 1996)).

0920-4105/$ – see front matter. Published by Elsevier B.V.

doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2011.07.005
 A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24 11

Therm-Combustion
4% Therm-Hot projects. This work will aid in EOR implementation and development
Water by providing a detailed analysis of reported EOR projects.
2%

2. Database building
Gas Miscible
35% The database was built based on the EOR survey reports biannually
published by The Oil and Gas Journal from 1998 through 2010 and SPE
Therm-Steam publications. The Oil and Gas Journal has issued a consolidated biennial
42%
EOR survey report since 1974. It includes, where available, details
such as operator, project location, start date, reservoir characteristics,
production data, and additional details. Other EOR project sources are
from SPE publications.
Although SPE publications are fragmented, they provide operator
Gas Immiscible experiences in EOR project implementation. Consistent EOR project
6%
reporting remains a challenge. In several cases, critical details are not
Chem-ASP
3% included. The database excludes EOR projects that report no reservoir
Chem-Polymer properties. Furthermore, single EOR projects entries (e.g., acid gas and
8%
combined nitrogen and hydrocarbon flooding) are not included in the
Fig. 2. World EOR project subcategories (1959–2010). database analysis due to a lack of data sets. The amount of data
(Data Adopted from from Reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, available however is sufficient to establish an EOR project database.
2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin
Microsoft Access was used to construct the EOR project database.
et al., 2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; Taber
et al., 1996)).
Table fields include oil properties such as gravity, viscosity, and
temperature and reservoir properties such as formation type,
porosity, start and end oil saturations, permeability, and depth. They
Furthermore, the current EOR selection criteria is only an initial also include country, field name, project start date, and production
selection tool because it is based on ranges of reservoir properties details. The database includes 652 projects, of which 613 were
rather than the distribution of reservoir properties in reported EOR reported in The Oil and Gas Journal from 1998 through 2010 and 39 by

WAG Venezuela 1
Venezuela 38
USA 152
Trinidad 23
Indonesia 2
Thermal (Steam) Germany 17
Colombia 2
China 17
Canada 18
Brazil 5
USA 5
Thermal (Hot Water) Germany 4
Canada 1
USA 17
Romania 1
Thermal (Combustion) India 4
China 1
Canada 3
SWAG Danmark 1
Nitrogen Venezuela 1
U.K. 2
Miscible WAG Norway 1
Miscible Nitrogen USA 3
Venezuela 3
USA 19
Miscible Hydrocarbon UAE 1
Libya 1
Canada 36
EOR Method

U.K. 3
Miscible Gas Norway 3
USA 139
Miscible CO2 Canada 12
Brazil 2
Venezuela 1
Microbial USA 1
China 2
U.K. 1
Immiscible WAG Norway 5
Immiscible Nitrogen USA 7
Immiscible Hydrocarbon WAG Venezuela 4
USA 1
Immiscible Hydrocarbon Canada 1
USA 5
Turkey 1
Immiscible CO2 Trinidad 9
Brazil 1
FAWAG Norway 2
Chemical PS USA 3
USA 18
India 1
Germany 2
Chemical Polymer China 28
Canada 2
Argentina 1
Chemical Micellar Polymer Indonesia 1
Chemical CDG China 1
Venezuela 2
Chemical ASP China 11
Chemical AS USA 1
Miscible Hydrocarbon Venezuela 1
Miscible Acid Gas Canada 1

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Number of EOR Projects

Fig. 3. EOR methods — country distribution.

(Data Adopted from Reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin et al.,
2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; Taber et al., 1996)).
12 A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24

the Society of Petroleum Engineers. The database covers all four
categories of EOR methods: gas, thermal, chemical and microbial. The
Database will be published in 2011 on the following web site http://
www.eorcriteria.com
Gas EOR Methods: Gas EOR is subcategorized as immiscible and
miscible flooding using carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon and nitrogen
gases as well as water alternating hydrocarbon gas (WAG) flooding. In
the case of immiscible gas flooding, the gas is injected below its critical
pressure. This enhances the macroscopic displacement efficiency by
increasing reservoir pressure and causing oil to swell. By contrast,
miscible gas flooding involves the injection of gas at a pressure high
enough to achieve miscibility with the oil.
Oil gravity is inversely proportional to the minimum miscibility
pressure, whereas heavy gases have lower miscibility pressures. The
injected gas solution achieves miscibility with the oil through single
or multiple contacts (Ghomian et al., 2008). These contacts consid-
erably reduce the interfacial tension in the miscible zone, thus, the
residual oil saturation decreases and oil is mobilized. Additionally,
when the miscible gas “evaporates” in oil (Vahidi and Zargar, 2007),
the oil viscosity is reduced and the oil swells. The increase in viscous
forces improves the macroscopic displacement efficiency. The
improvement in both microscopic and macroscopic displacement
efficiencies explains why miscible gas flooding is generally more
effective than immiscible flooding (Vahidi and Zargar, 2007).
Thermal EOR methods: Thermal EOR methods include steam,
combustion, and hot water flooding. All three methods elevate the
temperature inside the reservoir to reduce oil viscosity. In addition, oil
swelling and increased reservoir pressure resulting from high
temperature create favorable oil recovery conditions. Therefore,
thermal EOR improves the macroscopic displacement efficiency by
reducing viscous forces, and improves the microscopic displacement
efficiency by reducing interfacial tension, especially during steam
distillation (Cadelle et al., 1981).
Chemical EOR methods: Chemical methods involve the injection of
chemicals, such as soluble polymer, cross-linked polymer, surfactant,
alkaline and their combinations. Chemical EOR can improve microscopic
or macroscopic efficiency, or both. Polymers are added to water during
flooding to achieve favorable mobility ratios in the displacing front.
The displacing water becomes more viscous as water under-riding
is mitigated and the macroscopic displacement efficiency improves
(Chang et al., 2006). Surfactants are added to the water during
flooding to improve microscopic displacement efficiency by generat-
ing an emulsion between the oil and water interface. This emulsion
significantly reduces the interfacial tension and mobilizes the oil
(Krumrine et al., 1982). Surfactants also improve microscopic
displacement efficiency by reducing the capillary force and favorably
altering the contact angle. Alkaline interacts with some acid oils to
generate surfactant that reduce the interfacial tension proportionally
based on the pH value (Smith, 1993). Therefore, alkaline is added to
water to minimize the use of surfactant and reduce the capillary force.
Polymer-based gels are used during conformance control to block
high-permeability zones, diverting the displacing fluid to areas where
oil has not been swept (Bai et al., 2004).
Microbial EOR methods: Microbes can be utilized to improve oil
recovery. Microbial EOR generates gases under reservoir condition;
this improves the macroscopic displacement efficiency due to an
increase in reservoir pressure and reduction in oil viscosity. The
macroscopic displacement efficiency may also improve when the
absolute permeability is increased due to acidic dissolution. Alterna-
tively microbes could block high permeability zones as such improve
sweep efficiency. Microbes can generate bio-surfactants that could
reduce the interfacial tension and favorably alter wettability. The
wettability could also be favorably altered by some microbes that
decrease the population of sulfate reducing bacteria (Dietrichm et al.,
1996; Gray et al., 2008).
3. Database analysis
3.1. World EOR project share and trends
The first step in analyzing the EOR projects database is to construct
a profile of worldwide EOR projects. The EOR projects are classified
into four main categories, namely thermal, gas, chemical, and
microbial methods. The world project share of each of the main EOR
categories is shown in Fig. 1. The main EOR categories are then
subcategorized as shown in Fig. 2 to provide a further breakdown of
the world's EOR project share. Fig. 1 indicates that Thermal methods
lead the world shares of EOR projects followed by Gas methods. Steam
Flooding is the world's leading EOR method followed by miscible gas
injection shown in Fig. 2.
There are 652 EOR projects in the database. The second step is to
represent each county's share of EOR projects and a breakdown of EOR
method implemented by the corresponding country, shown in Fig. 3.
Additionally to further examine worldwide EOR project implementa-
tion trends. The number of EOR projects implemented, enhanced oil
production and crude oil prices are cross plotted shown in Fig. 4. To
establish a baseline, Fig. 4 includes only EOR projects reported in 2010,
the enhanced production rates that year should not be considered as

2000000 700
1800000
Enhanced Production (BOPD)

600
Number of EOR Projects

1600000
1400000 500

1200000
400
1000000
300
800000
600000 200
400000
100
200000
0 0
1959
1962
1964
1966
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010

Fiscal Year
Enhanced Production Number of EOR Projects Crude Price

Fig. 4. EOR projects & enhanced production trends.

(Data adopted from reference (Koottungal, 2010)). Note: production rates as reported in 2010.
 A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24 13

Chemical Furthermore, enhanced production versus EOR methods and

1%
viscosity, permeability, API gravity, depth, porosity and oil saturations
are shown in Figs. 8, through 13 respectively.
Gas
32% Thermal EOR methods continue to dominate both the world's
share of EOR projects and enhanced production (Figs. 1 and 5),
however the adoption of miscible flooding methods has increased gas
EOR projects to 41% (Fig. 2) and since 2006 Gas EOR methods in the
United States account for the majority of enhanced oil production at
Thermal 53% (Koottungal, 2008). The United States and Venezuela represent
67% the majority of Steam Flooding EOR projects. Miscible flooding is lead
by the US and Canada while China leads the world in Chemical EOR
projects (Fig. 3). Sandstone formations are predominate in Chemical
and Steam EOR methods, whereas CO2 miscible flooding is applied for
a wide range of formation types (Fig. 7). The distribution of reservoir
properties in Figs. 8 through 13 against enhanced production and for
each EOR method highlights, the sensitivity of reservoir properties
Fig. 5. World enhanced production share.
(Data adopted from references (Koottungal, 2010)). Note: production rates as reported this, identifies promising reservoir property range(s) that have
in 2010. achieved high enhanced production rates (Summarized in Table 2)
and the risks involved in adopting a EOR criteria that is based on
maximum, minimum and average values. The benefit of any reservoir
the initial production rate. To provide an impression of EOR projects range as a criterion for EOR selection is better represented by
success, the following figures have been constructed. In Fig. 5, enhanced production and project distribution as further described in
worldwide EOR project are plotted to illustrate the production share the fourth stage of this work below.
of the main EOR method and Fig. 6 is expanded to include all the EOR The number of EOR projects has increased, dramatically since
method and the corresponding countries. Additionally a correlation 1959, when the first project was undertaken, most notably during the
between reservoir formations, EOR methods and the corresponding early eighties and late nineties, when oil supplies from the Arabian
number of EOR projects is plotted in Fig. 7. Gulf were uncertain due to conflict (Fig. 4).

1000000 1000000

100000 100000
Enhanced Production (BPD)

10000 10000

1000 1000

100 100

10 10

1 1
Chemical Polymer
Immiscible CO2
Miscible CO2
Thermal (Steam)
Miscible Acid Gas
Chemical Polymer
Immiscible Hydrocarbon
Miscible CO2
Miscible Hydrocarbon
Thermal (Combustion)
Thermal (Hot Water)
Thermal (Steam)
Chemical Polymer
Thermal (Combustion)
Thermal (Steam)
Thermal (Steam)
Chemical Polymer
Thermal (Hot Water)
Thermal (Steam)
Chemical Polymer
Thermal (Combustion)
Thermal (Steam)
Miscible Hydrocarbon
Thermal (Combustion)
Immiscible CO2
Thermal (Steam)
Immiscible CO2
Miscible Hydrocarbon
Chemical Polymer
Immiscible CO2
Immiscible Hydrocarbon
Immiscible Nitrogen
Miscible CO2
Miscible Hydrocarbon
Miscible Nitrogen
Thermal (Combustion)
Thermal (Hot Water)
Thermal (Steam)
Miscible Hydrocarbon
Miscible Hydrocarbon
Thermal (Steam)
WAG
Argentina

Brazil

Canada

China

Colombia

Germany

India

Indonesia
Libya
Romania

Trinidad

Turkey
UAE

USA

Venezuela

Fig. 6. Enhanced oil production vs. eor methods & country distribution.
(Data adopted from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin et al.,
2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; Taber et al., 1996)).
14 A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24

WAG Unconsolidated Sand 1

Unconsolidated Sand 33
Tripolitic 3
Shale 2
Sandstone/Dolomite 1
Thermal (Steam)
Sandstone/Conglomerate 2
Sandstone 221
Limestone/Dolomite 1
Dolomite 1
Thermal (Hot Water) Sandstone 10
Unconsolidated Sand 2
Thermal (Combustion) Sandstone 9
Dolomite 11
SWAG Sandstone 1
Miscible WAG Sandstone 3
Sandstone 1
Miscible Nitrogen
Limestone 2
Sandstone 24
Limestone 14
Miscible Hydrocarbon
Dolomite/Limestone 2
Dolomite 20
Formation Type

Sandstone 5
Miscible Gas
Limestone 1
Tripolitic 8
Sandstone/Limestone-Dolomite 2
Sandstone/Conglomerate 1
Sandstone 63
Limestone/Dolomite 10
Miscible CO2
Limestone 11
Dolomite/Tripolitic 1
Dolomite/Sandstone 1
Dolomite/Limestone 7
Dolomite 48
Microbial Sandstone 2
Sandstone 5
Immiscible WAG
Limestone 1
Sandstone 5
Immiscible Nitrogen
Dolomite 2
Sandstone 1
Immiscible Hydrocarbon
Dolomite 1
Sandstone 14
Immiscible CO2 Limestone 1
Dolomite 1
FAWAG Sandstone 2
Sandstone 1
Chemical PS
Dolomite/Limestone 1
Unconsolidated Sand 1
Sandstone 35
Chemical Polymer
Limestone 1
Conglomerate. 1
Chemical Micellar Polymer Sandstone 1
Chemical AS Sandstone 1
Miscible Acid Gas Dolomite 1

0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250

Number of EOR Projects

Fig. 7. Chart 7 : formation type — EOR methods.

(Data adopted from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin et al.,
2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; Taber et al., 1996)).

Despite increasing enhanced production rates and oil prices, the
number of EOR projects plateau from 2006 to 2010 (Fig. 4), this could
be attributed to incomplete reporting of EOR projects, an increase in
oil production especially in the Middle East and the development of
new fields.
Thermal EOR accounts for the majority of EOR projects (Fig. 5),
however since EOR can be applied as a primary, secondary, or tertiary
recovery stage, Fig. 13 illustrates start and end-oil saturations and
plots enhanced production against the corresponding EOR methods.
Thermal EOR is applied over a wide range of oil saturation because it is
as also used in primary and secondary oil recovery stage in heavy and
medium-gravity oil recovery. Similarly, gas EOR is also used as a
secondary stage method, thus, a wider oil saturation range is observed
in gas than in chemical EOR. Chemical EOR is usually employed after
water flooding is well underway. However since the majority of the
reported Chemical EOR projects are Polymer Flooding low start
saturation values will not be evident. Fig. 13 illustrates the benefits of
initiating chemical EOR at the start of secondary recovery to improve
overall recovery efficiency.
3.2. EOR selection criteria
One of the widely cited publications in Petroleum Engineering is
the EOR Criteria published by (Taber et al., 1996). The EOR Criteria
consisted of twelve EOR methods tabulated against nine reservoir
properties. The reservoir properties are based on mainly, minimum,
maximum and average values published by O&GJ, EOR surveys from
1974 to 1996.
In this work, we update the EOR criteria to include, EOR surveys
from 1998 to 2010, the addition of new EOR categories, subcategories
and project details shown in Table 1. Microbial EOR, WAG miscible,
and hot water flooding were added as categories. Subcategories of
immiscible gas flooding were also added to include CO2, nitrogen and
WAG EOR methods. The reservoir properties was expanded to include
porosity, the number of EOR projects for each corresponding EOR
method, permeability and depth ranges where added for miscible and
immiscible Gas EOR methods.
The EOR criteria was constructed and updated in the following
manner. Oil properties and reservoir characteristic fields were queried
to determine the range of each reservoir property for each EOR
method. An average for each reservoir property was then derived.
Figs. 14 and 15 illustrate selected reservoir properties for the main
EOR categories. Table 1 indicates that the majority of reservoir
properties were updated and the number of EOR methods has been
expanded from 12 to 16, data adopted from the 1996 EOR Criteria are
boxed, allowing for latitude where warranted. Table 1 is not intended
to present threshold limits since such limits should be challenged
through scientific development. The consolidation of 652 EOR projects
into the screening criteria in Table 1 is a testimony to Taber et al.
(Taber et al., 1996) work.
The fourth stage of analysis requires representation of the
distribution of EOR projects against the reservoir properties, to
 A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24 15

1000000 1000000

100000 100000
Enhanced Production (BPD)

10000 10000

1000 1000

100 100

10 10

1 1
0 - 10
0 - 10
10 - 20
20 - 30
70 - 80
170 - 180
4000 - 4010
0 - 10
10 - 20
590 - 600
0 - 10
0 - 10
20 - 30
0 - 10
0 - 10
0 - 10
0 - 10
70 - 80
550 - 560
2000 - 2010
170 - 180
1200 - 1210
8000 - 8010
0 - 10
10 - 20
20 - 30
90 - 100
100 - 110
120 - 130
170 - 180
180 - 190
220 - 230
270 - 280
300 - 310
350 - 360
370 - 380
500 - 510
550 - 560
580 - 590
600 - 610
750 - 760
820 - 830
1000 - 1010
1200 - 1210
1500 - 1510
1520 - 1530
1700 - 1710
1900 - 1910
2000 - 2010
2200 - 2210
2300 - 2310
2500 - 2510
2920 - 2930
2960 - 2970
3000 - 3010
3500 - 3510
3720 - 3730
4000 - 4010
4060 - 4070
4100 - 4110
5000 - 5010
5200 - 5210
5500 - 5510
6000 - 6010
7000 - 7010
7500 - 7510
8000 - 8010
9000 - 9010
9200 - 9210
10000 - 10010
11000 - 11010
12000 - 12010
13000 - 13010
14000 - 14010
15000 - 15010
20000 - 20010
25000 - 25010
25900 - 25910
28000 - 28010
30000 - 30010
40000 - 40010
54000 - 54010
80000 - 80010
100000 - 100010
200000 - 200010
300000 - 300010
400000 - 400010
500000 - 500000
370 - 380
Immiscible Hydrocarbon
Immiscible Nitrogen
Miscible Acid Gas

Immiscible CO2

Miscible CO2
Miscible Nitrogen
Chemical Polymer

Miscible Hydrocarbon

Thermal (Combustion)

Thermal (Hot Water)

Thermal (Steam)

WAG
Viscosity (cP)

Fig. 8. Enhanced oil production vs. eor methods & viscosity distribution top 98%.
(Data adopted from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin et al., 2001;
Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; Taber et al., 1996)).

determine where the EOR projects are concentrated at for each recovery and data distributions provide a more concise criteria for
reservoir range. As an example, Fig. 16 is for API gravity. EOR selection since their conclusions are comparable.
Extreme minimum and maximum values could adversely impact
the EOR criterion, even when averages are established; therefore,
boxed charts are used to illustrate reservoir property distribution for 4. Summary
the main EOR methods.
Figs. 17 through 23 represent the range in which the majority of This work has constructed an EOR database based on 652 reported
EOR projects are located, plotted against selected reservoir properties EOR projects. The database lists reservoir rock and fluid properties in
as an example the minimum and maximum API gravity values were addition to project attributes, which provides a profile of worldwide
identified for each of the five EOR methods outlined in Fig. 17 (with a EOR trends. The EOR screening criteria published by Taber et al. in
red box indicating the minimum and the purple cross indicating the 1996 (SPE 35385) is updated and the database analysis in the work
maximum value). The average API value was then determined for illustrates the relationship of EOR project distribution to key reservoir
each of the EOR methods and highlighted as a green triangle. (This properties. The in-depth analysis of EOR projects presented in this
was the basis for establishing the EOR Selection Criteria in (Taber paper has the potential to support EOR selection, implementation,
et al., 1996)) In this work, the next step was to indentify the number development, and encouraging continual improvement. Furthermore,
of projects for each API value from the minimum to the maximum API updating EOR criteria encourages research advancements that would
value. Finally, the API range with the highest number of data sets or widen the range of EOR applications and introduce innovative
projects was identified from r1 (blue diamond) to r2 (sky blue technologies capable of reclassifying unrecoverable and contingent
asterisk), therefore r1 to r2 is a representative of an API range where hydrocarbon reserves.
the majority of Miscible Flooding projects have been implemented.
Table 3 summarizes Figs. 17 through 23 to represent a new approach
in developing the EOR criteria. Acknowledgement
Three approaches have been adopted to specify reservoir proper-
ties for the EOR methods selection, namely, minimum, maximum and The authors would like to thank Taber, et al. for introducing the
average values (Table 1), enhanced production (Figs. 8 through 13) EOR criteria in 1996 and The Oil and Gas Journal for the biannual
and data distribution (Table 3). Table 2 is a summary of EOR methods reporting for EOR projects. This made it possible to carry out the work
with high enhanced production rates. It is evident that incremental in this paper.
16 A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24

1000000 1000000

100000 100000
Enhanced Production (BPD)

10000 10000

1000 1000

100 100

10 10

1 1

>6000

>6000
>6000
60 - 120
0 - 60
60 - 120
120 - 180
180 - 240
360 - 420
480 - 540
540 - 600
600 - 660
900 - 960
1500 - 1560
2460 - 2520
3960 - 4020
4980 - 5040
5460 - 5520
0 - 60
120 - 180
240 - 300
300 - 360
960 - 1020
0 - 60
960 - 1020
0 - 60
120 - 180
1500 - 1560
2760 - 2820
0 - 60
60 - 120
120 - 180
180 - 240
240 - 300
300 - 360
480 - 540
3000 - 3060
3480 - 3540
3960 - 4020
4500 - 4560
0 - 60
60 - 120
120 - 180
180 - 240
240 - 300
300 - 360
360 - 420
480 - 540
540 - 600
600 - 660
660 - 720
900 - 960
960 - 1020
1080 - 1140
1500 - 1560
1980 - 2040
2400 - 2460
3060 - 3120
4980 - 5040
0 - 60
0 - 60
60 - 120
600 - 660
900 - 960
1260 - 1320
1680 - 1740
3960 - 4020
900 - 960
1500 - 1560
1560 - 1620
1980 - 2040
3480 - 3540
5460 - 5520
0 - 60
60 - 120
120 - 180
180 - 240
240 - 300
300 - 360
480 - 540
540 - 600
660 - 720
780 - 840
900 - 960
960 - 1020
1080 - 1140
1200 - 1260
1260 - 1320
1500 - 1560
1560 - 1620
1680 - 1740
1980 - 2040
2160 - 2220
2220 - 2280
2400 - 2460
2460 - 2520
2700 - 2760
2760 - 2820
3000 - 3060
3060 - 3120
3240 - 3300
3360 - 3420
3480 - 3540
3660 - 3720
3960 - 4020
4500 - 4560
4980 - 5040
5460 - 5520
Miscible Hydrocarbon

Miscible Nitrogen
Miscible Acid Gas

Immiscible Hydrocarbon

Immiscible Nitrogen

Thermal (Hot Water)

Thermal (Combustion)
Miscible CO2
Chemical Polymer

Immiscible CO2

Thermal (Steam)

WAG
Permeability (mD)

Fig. 9. Enhanced oil production vs. eor methods & permeability distribution — top 98%.
(Data adopted from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin et al., 2001;
Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; Taber et al., 1996)).

References Ghomian, Y., Pope, G.A., Sepehrnoori, K., 2008. Development of a response surface
based model for minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) correlation of CO2 flooding.
Anonymous, 1998. 1998 Worldwide EOR Survey. The Oil and Gas Journal 96 (16), Proceedings of a SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, 21–24
60–77. September 2008, held at Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. (SPE 116719).
Anonymous, 2000. 2000 Worldwide EOR Survey. The Oil and Gas Journal 98 (12), 46–61. Gray, M.R., Yeung, A., Foght, J.M., Yarranton, H.W., 2008. Potential microbial enhanced
Anonymous, 2002. 2002 Worldwide EOR Survey. The Oil and Gas Journal 100 (15), oil recovery processes: a critical analysis. Proceedings of a SPE Annual Technical
72–83. Conference and Exhibition, 21–24 September 2008, held at Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
Anonymous, 2006. Special Report: 2006 Worldwide EOR Survey. The Oil and Gas (SPE 114676).
Journal 104 (15), 46–57. Hongfu, L., Guangzhi, L., Peihui, H., Zhenyu, Y., Xiaoline, W., Guangyu, C., Dianping, X.,
Anonymous, 2007. World energy outlook 2007. International Energy Agency 76–93. Peiqiang, J., 2003. Alkaline/surfactant/polymer (ASP) commercial flooding test in
Awan, A.R., Teigland, R., Kleppe, J., 2006. EOR survey in the North Sea. Proceedings of a central Xing2 Area of Daqing Oilfield. Proceedings of a SPE Asia Pacific Conference
SPE/DOE Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery, 22–26 April 2006, held at Tulsa, on Improved Oil Recovery, 20–21 October 2003, held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Oklahoma, U.S.A. (SPE 99546). (SPE 84896).
Bai, B., Li, L., Liu, Y., Liu, H., Wang, Z., You, C., 2004. Preformed particle gel for Koottungal, L., 2008. 2008 Worldwide EOR Survey. The Oil and Gas Journal 106 (15),
conformance control: factors affecting its properties and applications. Proceedings 47–59.
of a SPE/DOE Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery, 17–21 April 2004, held at Koottungal, Leena, 2010. 2010 worldwide EOR survey. The Oil and Gas Journal 108 (14),
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.A. (SPE 89389). 41–53.
Cadelle, C.P., Burger, J.G., Bardon, C.P., Machedon, V., Carcoana, A., Petcovici, V., 1981. Krumrine, P.H., Falcone, J.S., Campbell, T.C., 1982. Surfactant flooding 2*: the effect of
Heavy-oil recovery by in-situ combustion two field cases in romania. Proceedings alkaline additives on permeability and sweep efficiency. SPE Journal 22 (6),
of the SPE 50th California Regional Meeting, April 9–11, 1980, held at Los Angeles, 983–992.
California, U.S.A. (SPE 8905). Marilyn, R., Bell, L., 2009. Weak energy demand to persist through 2009. The Oil and Gas
Chang, H.L., Zhang, Z.Q., Wang, Q.M., Xu, Z.S., Guo, Z.D., Sun, H.Q., Cao, X.L., Qiao, Q., Journal 107 (27), 24.
2006. Advances in polymer flooding and alkaline/surfactant/polymer processes as Mortis, G., 2004. EOR continues to unlock oil resources. The Oil and Gas Journal 102
developed and applied in the People's Republic of China. Journal of Petroleum (14), 54–65.
Technology 58 (2), 84–89. Smith, J.E., 1993. How to rate crude oils for alkaline flooding potential: a study based on
Demin, W., Jiecheng, C., Junzheng, W., Zhenyu, Y., Yuming, Y., Hongfu, L., 1999. Pilot 239 crude oils. Proceedings of an International SPE Symposium on Oilfield
tests of alkaline/surfactant/polymer flooding in Daqing oil field. SPE Reservoir Chemistry, March 2–5 1993, held at New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. (SPE 25171).
Engineering 12 (4), 229–233. Taber, J.J., Martin, F.D., Seright, R.S., 1996. EOR screening criteria revisited. Proceedings
Demin, W., Jiecheng, C., Qun, L., Junzheng, W., Wenxiang, W., Yanqing, Z., 2001. of the SPE/DOE Tenth Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery, April 21–24, 1996,
Summary of ASP pilots in Daqing Oil Field. Proceedings of a SPE Asia Pacific held at Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.A. (SPE 35385).
Conference on Improved Oil Recovery, 25–26 October 1999, held at Kuala Lumpur, Vahidi, A., Zargar, G., 2007. Sensitivity of important parameters affecting minimum
Malaysia (SPE 57288). miscibility pressure (mmp) nitrogen injection into conventional oil reservoirs.
Dietrichm, F.L., Brown, F.G., Zhou, Z.H., Maure, M.A., 1996. Microbial EOR technology Proceedings of a SPE/EAGE Conference on Reservoir Characterization and
advancement: case studies of successful projects. Proceedings of a SPE Annual Simulation, 28–31 October 2007, held at Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. (SPE 111411-PP).
Technical Conference and Exhibition, 6–9 October 1996, held at Denver, Colorado,
U.S.A. (SPE 36746).
 A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24 17

1000000 1000000

100000 100000
Enhanced Production (BPD)

10000 10000

1000 1000

100 100

10 10

1 1
36- 36- 12- 18- 24- 30- 36- 42- 6- 12- 18- 24- 30- 18- 48- 12- 24- 30- 42- 54- 18- 24- 30- 36- 42- 18- 24- 30- 36- 42- 48- 54- 36- 48- 54- 6- 12- 18- 24- 30- 36- 12- 18- 24- 6- 12- 18- 24- 30- 6-
42 42 18 24 30 36 42 48 12 18 24 30 36 24 54 18 30 36 48 60 24 30 36 42 48 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 42 54 60 12 18 24 30 36 42 18 24 30 12 18 24 30 36 12
Miscible Hydrocarbon

Miscible Hydrocarbon

Miscible Nitrogen
Miscible Acid Gas

Immiscible Hydrocarbon

Immiscible Nitrogen

Thermal (Hot Water)

Thermal (Combustion)
Miscible CO2
Chemical Polymer

Immiscible CO2

Thermal (Steam)

WAG
API Gravity

Fig. 10. Enhanced oil production vs. eor methods & api gravity distribution.
(Data adopted from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin et al.,
2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; Taber et al., 1996)).
2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; Taber et al., 1996)).
(Data adopted from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin et al.,
Fig. 11. Enhanced oil production vs. eor methods & depth distribution.

18
Enhanced Production (BPD)

10000000
1000000
100000
10000
1000
100
10
1
Miscible Acid Gas 4000 - 6000
0 - 2000
2000 - 4000
Chemical Polymer 4000 - 6000
6000 - 8000
8000 - 10000
0 - 2000
2000 - 4000
Immiscible CO2
4000 - 6000

A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24

8000 - 10000
Immiscible Hydrocarbon 6000 - 8000
0 - 2000
2000 - 4000
Immiscible Nitrogen
4000 - 6000
>10000
0 - 2000
2000 - 4000
4000 - 6000
Miscible CO2
6000 - 8000

Depth (Feet)
8000 - 10000
>10000
0 - 2000
4000 - 6000
6000 - 8000
Miscible Hydrocarbon
8000 - 10000
10000 - 10000
>10000
10000 - 10000
Miscible Nitrogen
>10000
0 - 2000
2000 - 4000
Thermal (Combustion) 4000 - 6000
8000 - 10000
>10000
0 - 2000
Thermal (Hot Water)
2000 - 4000
0 - 2000
2000 - 4000
Thermal (Steam)
4000 - 6000
8000 - 10000
WAG 2000 - 4000
1

10

100

1000

10000

100000

1000000

10000000
 A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24 19

1000000 1000000

100000 100000
Enhanced Production (BPD)

10000 10000

1000 1000

100 100

10 10

1 1
5- 10- 15- 20- 25- 30- 15- 20- 25- 30- 5- 20- 10- 15- 25- 0- 5- 10- 15- 20- 25- 30- 35- 0- 5- 10- 15- 20- 25- 5- 10- 10- 15- 20- 25- 30- 35- 25- 30- 35- 10- 15- 20- 25- 30- 35- 40- 55- 60- 30-
>60
10 15 20 25 30 35 20 25 30 35 10 25 15 20 30 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 5 10 15 20 25 30 10 15 15 20 25 30 35 40 30 35 40 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 60 60 35
Miscible Acid Gas

Chemical Polymer

Immiscible CO2

Immiscible Hydrocarbon

Immiscible Nitrogen

Miscible CO2

Miscible Hydrocarbon

Miscible Nitrogen

Thermal (Combustion)

Thermal (Hot Water)

Thermal (Steam)

WAG
Porosity (%)

Fig. 12. Enhanced oil production vs. eor methods & porosity distribution.
(Data adopted from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin et al.,
2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; Taber et al., 1996)).
Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; Taber et al., 1996)).
(Data adopted from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin et al., 2001;
Fig. 13. Enhanced oil production vs. eor methods & start oil saturaiton distribution.

20
Enhanced Production (BPD)

1000000.00
100000.00
10000.00
1000.00
100.00
10.00
1.00
Miscible Acid Gas 0.40 - 0.50

1 1 1
0.30 - 0.40
0.40 - 0.50
0.50 - 0.60

7
Chemical Polymer

14
0.60 - 0.70
0.70 - 0.80

7
0.80 - 0.90

3
0.40 - 0.50

4
0.50 - 0.60

7
Immiscible CO2
0.60 - 0.70

1
0.70 - 0.80

A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24

0.70 - 0.80

1 1 1 1 1 1
Immiscible Hydrocarbon
0.80 - 0.90
0.40 - 0.50
0.50 - 0.60
Immiscible Nitrogen
0.80 - 0.90
0.90 - 1.00
0.10 - 0.20

2
0.20 - 0.30

27
0.30 - 0.40

38 37
0.40 - 0.50

Start Oil Saturation (Fraction)

Miscible CO2
0.50 - 0.60
0.60 - 0.70

9
0.70 - 0.80

1 1
0.80 - 0.90
0.20 - 0.30

3
0.30 - 0.40

2
0.40 - 0.50

4
0.50 - 0.60

5
Miscible Hydrocarbon
0.60 - 0.70

8
0.70 - 0.80

16
0.80 - 0.90
0.90 - 1.00

9
0.70 - 0.80

1 1
Miscible Nitrogen
0.80 - 0.90
0.50 - 0.60

8 8
0.60 - 0.70
Thermal (Combustion) 0.70 - 0.80

1
0.80 - 0.90

5
0.90 - 1.00

1 1 1
0.10 - 0.20
0.20 - 0.30
0.40 - 0.50

2
Thermal (Hot Water)
0.60 - 0.70

1
0.70 - 0.80

2 2 2
0.80 - 0.90
0.30 - 0.40

10
0.40 - 0.50

88
0.50 - 0.60

71
Thermal (Steam) 0.60 - 0.70

25
0.70 - 0.80

48
0.80 - 0.90
0.90 - 1.00

6
WAG 0.80 - 0.90
1
1.00

10.00

100.00

1000.00

10000.00

100000.00

1000000.00
Table 1
“Updated EOR criteria — oil properties and reservoir characteristics” (Tabulation adopted from Ref. (Mortis, 2004) and Data from adopted from References (Cadelle et al., 1981; Taber et al., 1996; Anonymous, 1998; Demin et al., 1999;
Anonymous, 2000; Demin et al., 2001; Anonymous, 2002; Hongfu et al., 2003; Mortis, 2004; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010)).

Oil properties Reservoir characteristics

SN EOR method # Projects Gravity ( API) Viscosity (cp) Porosity (%) Oil saturation Formation type Permeability Net thickness Depth (ft) Temperature ( F)
(% PV) (md)

Miscible gas injection

1 CO2 153 [22]–45 Avg. 37 35–0a Avg. 2.08 3–37 Avg. 15–89 Avg. 46 Sandstone or Carbonate 1.5–4500 Avg. [Wide Range] 1500b–13365 Avg. 82–257 Avg. 138.10
15.15 209.73 6230.17
2 Hydrocarbon 67 [23] –57 Avg. 18000–0.04 Avg. 4.25–45 Avg. [30] –98 Avg. 71 Sandstone or Carbonate 0.1–5000 Avg. [Thin unless 4040[4000] –15900 85–329 Avg. 202.2
38.3 286.1 14.5 726.2 dipping] Avg. 8343.6
3 WAG 3 33–39 Avg. 35.6 0.3–0.9 Avg. 0.6 11 –24 Avg. Sandstone 130–1000 Avg. NC 7545–8887 Avg. 8216.8 194–253 Avg. 229.4
18.3 1043.3
c
4 Nitrogen 3 38[35] –54 Avg. 0.2–0 Avg. 0.07 7.5–14 Avg. 0.76[0.4] –0.8 Sandstone or Carbonate 0.2–35 Avg. [Thin unless 10000[6000] –18500 190–325 Avg. 266.6

A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24

47.6 11.2 Avg. 0.78 15.0 dipping] Avg. 14633.3

Immiscible gas injection

5 Nitrogen 8 16–54 Avg. 34.6 18000–0d Avg. 11–28 Avg. 47–98.5 Avg. 71 Sandstone 3–2800 Avg. 1700–18500 Avg. 82–325 Avg. 173.1
2256.8 19.46 1041.7 7914.2
6 CO2 16 11–35 Avg. 22.6 592–0.6 Avg. 65.5 17–32 Avg. 42–78 Avg. 56 Sandstone or Carbonate 30–1000 Avg. 1150–8500 Avg. 3385 82–198 Avg. 124
26.3 217
7 Hydrocarbon 2 22–48 Avg. 35 4–0.25 Avg. 2.1 5–22 Avg. 75–83 Avg. 79 Sandstone 40–1000 Avg. 6000–7000 Avg. 6500 170–180 Avg. 175
13.5 520
8 Hydrocarbon + WAG 14 9.3–41 Avg. 31 16000 –0.17 Avg. 18–31.9 Avg. Avg. 88 Sandstone or Carbonate 100–6600 Avg. 2650 –9199 Avg. 131–267 Avg. 198.7
3948.2 25.09 2392 7218.71

Chemical methods
9 Polymer 53 13–42.5 Avg. 26.5 4000e–0.4f Avg. 10.4–33 Avg. 34–82 Avg. 64 Sandstone 1.8e–5500 Avg. [NC] 9460–700 Avg. 4221.9 237.2–74 Avg. 167
123.2 22.5 834.1
10 Alkaline surfactant 13 23[20] – 34[35] 6500g–11 Avg. 26–32 Avg. 68[35] –74.8 Sandstone 596[10] –1520 [NC] 3900[9000] –2723 Avg. 158[200] –118 [80]
polymer (ASP) Avg. 32.6 875.8 26.6 Avg. 73.7 2984.5 Avg. 121.6
11 Surfactant + P/A 4 22–39 Avg. 31.75 15.6–2.63 Avg. 7.08 14–16.8 Avg. 43.5–53 Avg. 49 Sandstone 50–60 Avg. [NC] 5300–625 Avg. 3406.25 155–122 Avg. 126.33
15.6 56.67

Thermal/mechanical methods
12 Combustion 27 [10] –38 Avg. [5000]2770–1.44 14–35 Avg. [50] –94 Avg. 67 Sandstone or Carbonate 10 –15000 Avg. [N10] 400–11300[11500] 64.4–230 Avg. 175.5
23.6 Avg. 504.8 23.3 [Preferably Carbonate] 1981.5 Avg. 5569.6
13 Steam 274 [8] –33 Avg. 5E6–3h Avg. 12–65 Avg. 35–90 Avg. 66 Sandstone 1i–15001 Avg. [N20] 200–9000 Avg. 1647.42 10–350 Avg. 105.91
14.61 32594.96 32.2 2669.70
14 Hot water 10 12 –25 Avg. 18.6 8000–170 Avg. 25–37 Avg. 15–85 Avg. 58.5 Sandstone 900–6000 Avg. – 500–2950 Avg. 1942 75–135 Avg. 98.5
2002 31.2 3346
15 [Surface mining] – [7] – [11] [Zero cold flow] [NC] [N8 wt% Sand] [Mineable tar sand] [NC] [N10] [N 3:1 overburden to [NC]
sand ratio]

Microbial
16 Microbial 4 12–33 Avg. 26.6 8900–1.7 Avg. 12–26 Avg. 55–65 Avg. 60 Sandstone 180–200 Avg. – 1572–3464 Avg. 2445.3 86–90 Avg. 88
2977.5 19 190

The following reported EOR reservoir characteristics have extreme values that impact the respective average and range in Table 1 and require data set distribution.
a
Minimum CO2 miscible flooding viscosity reported in Dollarhide (Devonian) Unit and Olive Field, U.S.A. 2 & 16
b
Minimum CO2 miscible flooding depth reported in Salt Creek Field, U.S.A.16
c
Minimum Nitrogen miscible flooding viscosity reported in Bingar and Chunchula Fieldwide Unit, U.S.A.2
d
Minimum Nitrogen immiscible flooding viscosity reported in East Painter and Painter Fields, U.S.A.2
e
Maximum polymer flooding viscosity reported in Pelican Lake, Canada.16
f
Minimum polymer flooding viscosity reported in Handel Field, Indonesia. 20
g
Maximum ASP flooding viscosity reported in Lagomar, Venezuela.20
h
Maximum steam Injection viscosity reported in Athabasca Oil Sands, Canada.16
i
Minimum steam Injection permeability reported in North Midway–Sunset, U.S.A.16

21
22 A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24

Table 2
“Sample EOR criteria — based on the distribution of reservoir properties” (Tabulation adopted from Ref. (Mortis, 2004) and Data adopted from References (Cadelle et al., 1981; Taber
et al., 1996; Anonymous, 1998; Demin et al., 1999; Anonymous, 2000; Demin et al., 2001; Anonymous, 2002; Hongfu et al., 2003; Mortis, 2004; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006;
Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010)).

EOR method No. projects Reservoir properties

API Viscosity Start oil saturation Permeability Porosity Depth Temperature

(cP) (mD) (%) (ft) (°F)

Miscible flooding 226 34–44 0–1 0.33–0.55 0.1–100 7–16 4200–6700 95–160
73% 64% 62% 64% 62% 55% 52%
Immiscible flooding 40 19–36 0–10.5 0.42–0.62 30–300 22–32 1970–5708 120–194
66% 58% 67% 53% 69% 51% 68%
Steam flooding 274 10–16 3–2000 0.50–0.70 1000–3000 30–38.8 800–1800 80–130
78% 51% 64% 56% 76% 64% 77%
Combustion 27 19–27 1.44–2 0.50–0.70 10–85 17–25 1575–5000 185–230
50% 67% 70% 52% 55% 48% 64%
Chemical (mainly polymer) 70 32–42.5 9–75 0.65–0.82 173–875 21–33 2723–3921 108–158
52% 69% 65% 60% 67% 48% 65%

Note: Percentages represents project distributions.

40
API Gravity (Number)

35
Porosity (%)

30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Chemical Porosity
Thermal
Steam Thermal API
Combustion Thermal
Hot Water Miscible Gas Immiscible
Gas Microbial
API Porosity

Fig. 14. EOR methods vs. selected average fluid & reservoir properties.
(Data adopted from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin et al.,
2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; Taber et al., 1996)).

8000 35000
25
Permeability (mD) Depth (feet)

7000 30000
Viscosity (cP)

6000 20
Number Of Projects

25000
5000
20000 15
4000
15000
3000 10
10000
2000
5
1000 5000

0 0 0
Chemical Thermal Thermal Thermal Miscible Immiscible
Steam Combustion Hot Water Gas Gas 0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00
Permeability Depth Viscosity API Gravity

Fig. 15. EOR methods — selected fluid & reservoir properties. Fig. 16. Miscible flooding projects — API distribution.
(Data from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002; (Data from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002;
Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin
et al., 2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; et al., 2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004;
Taber et al., 1996). Taber et al., 1996)).
 A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24 23

60 1
0.9

Saturation (Fraction)
0.8
50 65%
0.7
0.6 64%
70%
40 73%
API Gravity

67%
0.5
52%
0.4 62%

30 66% 50% 0.3

0.2

20 0.1
0
Miscible Immiscible Steam Combustion Chemical EOR
78%
Flooding (#226) Flooding (#40) Flooding (#274) (#27) (#70)
10
(Numer of Projects)
r1 min avg max r2
0
Miscible Flooding Immiscible Steam Flooding Combustion Chemical EOR
Fig. 19. Saturation fraction vs. EOR methods.
(#226) Flooding (#40) (#274) (#27) (#70)
(Data adopted from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous,
(Number of Projects) 2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999;
Demin et al., 2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004; Taber et al.,
r1 min avg max r2 1996)).

Fig. 17. API gravity vs. EOR methods.

(Data adopted from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous,
2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999;
Demin et al., 2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis,
2004; Taber et al., 1996)).

Miscible Immiscible Steam Combustion Chemical EOR Miscible Flooding Immiscible Steam Flooding Chemical EOR
Flooding (#226) Flooding (#40) Flooding (#274) (#27) (#70) (#226) Flooding (#40) (#274) Combustion (#27) (#70)
100000

1000000
100000 10000

10000
Permeability (mD)

56%
1000
1000
Viscosity (cP)

60%
100 51%
69% 100 53%
10 67%
52%
1 58%
10
0.1 64%
64%

0.01 1
0.001
0.0001 0.1
(Number of Projects) (Number of Projects)
r1 min avg max r2 r1 min avg max r2

Fig. 18. Viscosity vs. EOR methods.
(Data adopted from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous,
2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999;
Demin et al., 2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis,
2004; Taber et al., 1996)).
Fig. 20. Permeability distribution vs. EOR methods.
(Data adopted from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous,
2002; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999;
Demin et al., 2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis,
2004; Taber et al., 1996)).
24 A. Al Adasani, B. Bai / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 79 (2011) 10–24

70 400

350
60

Temperature ( F)
300

50 250
Porosity (%)

64%
200
40 68%

150
76% 52% 65%
77%
30 100
69% 67%

50
20 55%
0
Miscible Immiscible Steam Combustion Chemical
62% Flooding (#226) Flooding (#40) Flooding (#274) (#27) EOR (#70)
10
(Number of Projects)
r1 min avg max r2
0
Miscible Immiscible Steam Flooding Combustion Chemical EOR Fig. 23. Temperature distribution vs. EOR methods.
Flooding (#226) Flooding (#40) (#274) (#27) (#70) (Data from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002;
Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin
(Number of Projects)
et al., 2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004;
r1 min avg max r2 Taber et al., 1996)).

Fig. 21. Porosity distribution vs. EOR methods.

(Data from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002;
Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin
et al., 2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004;
Taber et al., 1996)).

20000

18000

16000 Table 3
“Sample EOR criteria — based on the enhanced production” (Tabulation adopted from
Ref. (Mortis, 2004) and Data adopted from References (Cadelle et al., 1981; Taber et al.,
14000
1996; Anonymous, 1998; Demin et al., 1999; Anonymous, 2000; Demin et al., 2001;
Anonymous, 2002; Hongfu et al., 2003; Mortis, 2004; Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al.,
12000
Depth (ft)

2006; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010)).

10000 Reservoir Reservoir properties

properties
Miscible CO2 Miscible hydrocarbon Thermal (steam)
8000
Viscosity 0–10 0–10, (375,174) 242–484 (202,692),
(cP) (264,304) 3872–4114 (263,996)
6000 55% Permeability 0–20 1000–1020, (128,400) 1500–2000 (445,451),
(mD) (180,979) 2000–2500 (226,337)
4000 51% 3000–3500 (117,184),
48% 48% 4000–4500 (264,406)
64% API 30–36 24–30 (116,500) 6–12 (327,182), 12–18
2000
(137,413) (846,065)
36–42 36–42 (144,088) 18–24 (264,804)
0
(112,117)
Miscible Immiscible Steam Flooding Combustion Chemical EOR
Depth (ft) 4000–6000 8000–10,000 (113,593) 0–2000 (1,137,316)
Flooding (#226) Flooding (#40) (#274) (#27) (#70)
(169,770) 1000 N (187,623) 2000–4000 (258,601)
(Number of Projects) Porosity (%) 10–15 20–25 (239,676) 25–30 (123,203),
(141,771) 30–35 (915,595)
r1 min avg max r2 35–40 (368,345)
Start oil 0.3–0.4 0.8–0.9 0.5–0.6 (477,540),
Fig. 22. Depth distribution vs. EOR method.
saturation (66,352) 0.6–0.7 (602,737)
(Data from reference (Anonymous, 1998; Anonymous, 2000; Anonymous, 2002;
0.4–0.5 (204,483) 0.7–0.8 (147,848),
Anonymous, 2006; Awan et al., 2006; Cadelle et al., 1981; Demin et al., 1999; Demin
(88,415) 0.8–0.9 (197,083)
et al., 2001; Hongfu et al., 2003; Koottungal, 2008; Koottungal, 2010; Mortis, 2004;
Taber et al., 1996)). Note: Figure is parenthesis represents enhanced production in BPD.