IPA19-SE-383

PROCEEDINGS, INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION

Forty-Third Annual Convention & Exhibition, September 2019

COMPARING BETWEEN CO2-EOR AND SURFACTANT INJECTION IMPLEMENTATION IN

NGRAYONG FORMATION: OPTIMIZING PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY FOR
SUSTAINABILITY

M. Ali Akbar*
Velayati Salim*
Riana Hidayatunnisa*
Arief Budiman Ustiawan*
Safira Rizkia Muthasyabiha*

ABSTRACT field is using surfactant chemicals mixed into the

The diversity of geological conditions in each oil
field in the world causes many methods to be
developed, especially in terms of the effectiveness
and efficiency of oil production. Enhanced Oil
Recovery (EOR) is one of the suitable methods to
be developed because it increases oil production by
up to 60%. In this research, two methods –CO2
EOR and Surfactant Injection– are compared to
determine which method is more suitable to
implement in Ngrayong Formation. CO2 EOR
means injecting compressed carbon dioxide into
depleting oil fields. CO2 decreases the hydrocarbon
viscosity causing it to expand and flow more easily.
CO2 EOR can be applied to a range of reservoir
settings including sandstones, limestones and
dolostones; in structural or stratigraphic traps; in
small isolated buildups or giant fields; and onshore
or offshore. Surfactant Injection is the process of
injecting surfactant compounds into hydrocarbon
reservoirs with the aim of reducing the surface
tension between oil and injection fluid which has
different degrees of polarity so that oil mobility can
increase. It is suitable in reservoirs with sandstone
lithology < 9000 feet, good permeability (10 md)
and reservoir temperature conditions > 93 ºC as
lower temperatures result in a slower reaction on
surfactants so that the results obtained are not
optimal. In Hydrocarbons it has a low specific
gravity value and API value > 25, viscosity < 100cP
and salinity <100,100 ppm. Ngrayong Formation is
dominated by massive sandstone lithology, the
thickness of the formation is >10 feet, the depth of
the reservoir is 600-750 meters below the earth's
surface, specific gravity 0.8652, 32 degree API
value, permeability <200 mD and light oil types.
Therefore, the suitable method to better optimize oil
production in Kawengan Ngrayong Formation oil
water injected through injection wells.
Keyword : CO2 injection, Ngrayong Formation,
reservoir characteristics, surfactant injection.
INTRODUCTION
Oil production in a reservoir if continuously
produced and not balanced with the discovery of
new oil reserves will cause the production in oil
fields that have long been operating to decline. The
suitable method is necessary to increase production
in oil fields. One of the most efficient methods of
increasing the rate of oil production is Enhanced Oil
Recovery (EOR), which is done by injecting certain
substances into a well. This process would restore
the reduced the surface tension of the oil with water
and with water injection can reduced pressure due
to continuous production so that it returns to its
original pressure and pushes the oil out again more
optimally.
This study intends to compare two EOR methods:
Chemical (surfactant) and CO2 injection (CO2-
EOR) and its theoretical implementation in
Ngrayong Formation, Cepu Basin, East Java Basin.
Not all EOR methods are suitable to be applied in
all kinds of reservoirs, this is due to reservoirs
having a variety of types and characteristics. Due to
the varying conditions of the oil field, an effective
and efficient EOR method is necessary in its
implementation.
Surfactant injection is the process of integrating
surfactant composition into a hydrocarbon reservoir
with the intention of decreasing the surface tension
between the oil and the fluid transferred so that oil
mobility can increase (Figure 4). On the other hand,
CO2-EOR method is the method used to inject CO2

* Universitas Diponegoro
into the productive layer using pressure under the
formation fractures pressure. In this EOR, CO2 is
used because CO2 is easily dissolved in petroleum
but it is difficult to dissolve in water (Figure 2).
Ngrayong Formation is located in North East Java
Basin with rock characteristics consisted of
quartzarenite sandstones in Madura Island, and
shales and sandstones in the Rembang and
Randublatung zone dan These sandstones are
medium- to coarse-grained and moderately to well
sorted and exhibit excellent reservoir properties
with porosity greater than 35% and permeability’s
up to 10 Darcy (IBS, 2006). Based on the rock
characteristics of Ngrayong formation the authors
aim to compare between both EOR methods:
Chemical (surfactant) and CO2 injection (CO2-
EOR), in which method is more efficient and
sustainable going forward if applied to Ngrayong
formation.
METHODS
This study is conducted by compiling data from
various references from previous studies conducted
in the area, books, journal literature and analysis.
The data that has been obtained is then correlated
and further developed to strengthen the argument of
the study. The comparison of CO2-EOR and
Surfactant Injection requires deep understanding of
the mechanisms and the compatibility of geological
settings within the research area. Challenges and
opportunities from both methods would be
considered to determine the most suitable method to
implement.
GEOLOGICAL SETTING
The research location is in East Java Cepu Sub
Basin, the North East Java Basin. The North East
Java Basin has several zones namely Kendeng
Zone, Rembang-Madura Zone, Java Sea Exposure
Zone (Van Bemmelen, 1949). Rembang-Madura
Zone is the location zone of the study. Stratigraphic
Arrangements in the study area from Old to Young
according to Pringgoprawiro (1983) in the cepu
sub-basin composed of (Figure 1) :
Kujung Formation from Oligocene is the oldest
stratigraphy consisted of claystone with the
insertion of 10 limestones and sandstones,
especially at the bottom. This formation is deposited
in the middle exposure environment to outside
exposure.
The Late Oligocene Prupuh Formation is composed
of thick, hard-coated bioclastic limestones, rich in
Orbitoid fossils, which are layered with white
limestone.
* Universitas Diponegoro
The Early miocene Tuban Formation consists of
monotonous claystone layers with several limestone
inserts. The formation is generally composed of
carbonate clastics in the form of packstone-
wackestone.
Early-Middle Miocene Tawun Formation is
composed of interstratification between sand and
claystone, sandstone and limestone.
Early-Middle Miocene Ngrayong Formation,
usually named part of the Tawun formation, is
consisted of Orbitoid limestone (Cycloclypeus) and
claystone, while the upper part is composed of
sandstones with orbitoid limestone inserts. Among
the claystone layers are typical sedimentary
structures, namely ripple mark and gypsum pieces.
The sandstone is yellowish red, often showing the
soft sediment deformation structure, accompanied
by trace fossils in the form of vertical holes (cutting
layers) of the Ophiomorpha group.
The Middle Miocene Bulu Formation is composed
of platty sandstones with insertion of sandy napal.
In some places there is an abundant collection of
Cycloclypeus (Katacycloclypeus) annulatus.
Wonocolo Formation is composed of napal and
uncoated claystone. The lower part is composed of
sandstone limestones and side sandstones, which
generally show symptoms of transgressive
deposition.
The Late-Early Pliocene Ledok Formation is
composed of interstratification between glauconitic
sandstones with plate-bearing calcarenites, with
some napal inserts.
DATA AND RESULT
Ngrayong Formation
Field data based on researches that have been
conducted in previous studies in the form of
Specific Gravity (SG) and API degrees in Ngrayong
Formation can be seen on Table 1.1 (Nirmala,
2013).
Porosity and Permeability Data
Porosity and Permeability data according to the
research conducted by Htwe (2015) are as follows:
Ngrayong Formation is mainly composed of
quartzarenite sandstones, shales and sandstones in
Rembang and Randublatung zone. The sandstones
are productive in East Java Basin onshore (Soetantri
et al., 1973; Sharaf et al., 2005). These sandstones
are medium- to coarse-grained and moderately to
well sorted and exhibit excellent reservoir
properties with porosity greater than 35% and
permeability’s up to 10 Darcy (IBS, 2006).
Challenges and Opportunities of Both Methods
Surfactant injection opportunities
Injection using surfactant as one method in
Enhanced Oil Recovery has several advantages
compared to the other method, including:
1. Surfactant injection can be combined with other
Enhanced Oil Recovery methods such as water
flooding so that you get more optimal results
than if you only use one method.
2. It is able to reduce the surface tension between
the two mediums that have different degrees of
polarity.
3. It is very suitable to be applied for sand and
carbonate reservoir rock types because
surfactants cannot be absorbed by coarse-sized
material.
4. If a composition can be found from a
combination of other chemical compounds or
other material that matches the reservoir
characteristics, oil recovery can be increased
significantly.
5. It has amphifatic properties (where surfactant
molecules break down into groups which have
an excessive solvent tendency).
Surfactant injection challenges
1. Can only be implemented in sandstone
lithology reservoirs.
2. Easy to absorb in clay type reservoir rocks.
3. It cannot be applied to reservoirs with high
temperature and salinity.
4. Dilution used in surfactant injection easily
reacts with water.
CO2-EOR opportunities
1. Decrease oil viscosity and increase water
viscosity.
2. Reducing the surface tension between oil and
water so that the displacement is more effective.
3. Can be applied to deep wells.
4. Increase the volume of oil (swelling) and reduce
the density of oil.
CO2-EOR challenges
1. Mobility of CO2 is too high.
2. CO2 injection is less economical due to its high
price and complex treatment.
3. Can easily form acids in water making it highly
corrosive.
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DISCUSSION
Considering the challenges and opportunities of
both methods, one is determined to be the most
suitable to be applied in Ngrayong Formation. The
parameters are considered in terms of economical
prospect, compatibility and efficiency.
The upper boundary of Ngrayong Formation is
represented by an erosion surface, with meter-scale
conglomerate-filled channels which are overlain by
the late Middle Miocene Bulu Formation, a marker
bed consisting of massive carbonates rich in larger
benthic foraminifera and small patches of corals,
red algae and sandy carbonates. The lower
boundary between the Ngrayong Formation and
Late-Early Miocene Tuban lithologies is generally
gradational contact. However, it is locally
represented by a few centimeters of glauconitic,
fractioned and stained skeletal grains, suggesting
sediment starvation and possible drowning (Sharaf
et al., 2005). The age of Ngrayong Formation is
ranging from early Middle Miocene to mid-
MiddleMiocene (J.O.B. Pertamina-Trend Tuban,
1990). Strontium isotope data indicate that the age
of Ngrayong Formation constrains between 15 and
13 Ma (Sharaf et al., 2005).
From CO2-EOR perspective, the physical properties
of carbon dioxide is a gas that is colorless, odorless,
inert and is a non-flammable gas with a molecular
weight at standard conditions 44,010 g / mol, about
1.5 times heavier than the weight of air.
At low temperatures and high pressure CO2 is in
the solid and gas phase, with increasing pressure
and temperature to triple point (triple point), CO2 at
this triple point will first appear in the liquid phase
along with CO2 in the solid phase and gas phase.
Up to this critical point, CO2 gas can be in
conjunction with liquid CO2 (Figure 3).
Below the critical temperature CO2 can be a liquid
or gas phase under various pressures. Above the
critical temperature of CO2 there will be as free gas
regardless of pressure. Between the triple point
(triple point) to the critical point (critical point), the
liquid phase CO2 and gas phase can be at the same
time.
At a higher point of critical pressure and
temperature (CO2 point), CO2 is in a supercritical
state, where the CO2 substance forms a phase
which has a gas viscosity (the viscosity is quite low
at around 0.05 cp - up to 0.08 cp) but the density in
a liquid state (the density is close to the density of
the liquid).
The challenges and opportunities of CO2-EOR
shows that it is more expensive and less efficient
due to the complex distribution of CO2,
transporting it to injection sites requires special
trucks to maintain its supercritical phase and
pressure. The highly corrosive nature of CO2 also
contributes to its already complex maintenance and
treatment. Moreover, the minimum price of CO2
(32.76 USD/L) transported using trucks starts from
48.13 USD/ton. It is not feasible unless the oil price
is higher than 83 USD/barrel according to Saputra,
2018.
The challenges and opportunities of Surfactant
Injection shows that it is more flexible in its
implementation making it possible to mix with
water injection to give more optimal result, suitable
with Ngrayong Formation reservoir characteristics,
having amphifatic properties, and able to reduce
surface tension between oil and water. From
economical perspective, surfactant price starts at 16
USD/L which is more economical than CO2.
Therefore, Surfactant Injection is more feasible to
implement in Ngrayong Formation.
Metode Total Internal Reflection. Jurnal ESDM,
Vol. 5, No. 2, Edisi November 2013, pp. 65-71.
Rita, Novita. 2016. A Study On Surfactant-Polymer
Injection Mechanism In Stratified Reservoirs Of
NR Field Using Reservoir Simulation. Journal of
Earth Energy Engineering. Vol. 5, No. 2, Oktober
2016. ISSN:2301-8097
Saputra, Dadan DSM., Sugihardji.,dan Edward ML
Tobing., 2018. Studi Kelayakan Untuk
Implementasi Injeksi CO2 Skala Pilot di
LapanganMinyak A, Sumatra Selatan. Journal
Lemigas.Vol 52 No 1.
Taber, J.J., Martin, F.D., dan Seright, F.S., 1997.
EOR Screening Criteria Revisited Part 1 :
Introduction to Screening Criteria and Enhanced
Recovery Field Projects., Journal SPE Reservoir
Engineering, August 1997.

CONCLUSION

In conclucion, based on the comparison and

analysis from previous studies in the area,
Surfactant Injection has the opportunities such as:
1. Increasing the area and displacement sweep
efficiency.
2. Not toxic and not corrosive unlike CO2.
3. Using technology that resembles water
injection.
4. Use a water-oil ratio below the waterflood
level.
5. Gravity segregation usually becomes
insignificant.
6. Can be applied to large reservoirs.

Eventually, it is recommended to implement

Surfactant Injection due to its compatibility with
Ngrayong Formation, economical feasibility,
efficiency and less complicated treatment or
maintenance compared to CO2-EOR.

REFERENCES

Castanho, Sofia., 2014. Oil Recovery Techniques

MEOR. Repository Universidade de Lisboa.Lisbon.

Htwe, Paike dkk. 2015. Depositionl Mode of

Ngrayong Formation in Madura Area, North East
Java Basin, Indonesia. Jurnal J. SE Asian Appl.
Geol,Vol. 7(2),Edisi 2015. pp. 51–60.

Nirmala, Gerry Sasanti. 2013. Penentuan Specific

Gravity Pada Minyak Ringan Menggunakan

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 DATA SG API OIL

RAJA (ADERA1) 0.8757 30.08 Light

KAWENGAN 0.8652 32 Light

MUDI 0.8448 35-37 Light

SUKOWATI 0.8299 38-40 Light

Table 1 - Specific gravity and API degree of Crude Oil (Nirmala,2013).

Figure 1 – Research location stratigraphy according to Pringgoprawiro (1983).
 Figure 2 – CO2-EOR injection.
(https://www.energy.gov/fe/science-innovation/oil-gas-research/enhanced-oil-recovery)

Figure 3 - CO2 phase properties.

(http://www.reservoar.org/reservoir/eor/co2-eor-flooding/)
Figure 4 – Surfactant Injection Mechanism (Zerkalov, 2015).
Original wording by author Comment / suggestion
Overall abstract Probably author need to elaborate more, why only
surfactant and CO2 are discussed in this paper and the
other EOR methods are excluded, which is mentioned
very briefly in introduction
Overall abstract Abstract should atleast content: motivation, problem
statement, approach, result, and conclusions.
Please check:
https://users.ece.cmu.edu/~koopman/essays/
abstract.html

i guess author need to elaborate more on the approach.

Oil production in a reservoir if continuously
produced and not balanced with the discovery
of new oil reserves will cause the production
in oil fields that have long been operating to
decline so that the suitable method is
necessary to increase production.
This process would restore the reduced
pressure due to continuous production so that
it returns to its original pressure and pushes
the oil out again more optimally.
This sentence is too long. Suggest author to split this
sentence into 2 or more sentences
I am inclined to disagree with this statement because the
EOR (tertiary recovery) main purpose is not to restore
pressure to original. EOR morelike to change Sor,
interfacial tention, visc modifier etc.

To maintain or increase reservoir pressure is morelike

water flooding (secondary recovery)
Kujung Formation from Oligocene is the The main topic in this paper is Ngrayong Formation. Not
oldest stratigraphy consisted of claystone with sure why author mentioned the other formation in great
the insertion of 10 limestones and sandstones, detail. I am missing the relevance
especially at the bottom. The limestone at the
bottom is often referred to as the Kranji
Limestone. This formation is deposited in the
middle exposure environment to outside
exposure.

Table 1 Please convert all to English

Figure 2, 3, 4 Please add wording explaining the figures in discussion