Enhanced Oil Recovery

Azmal Hussain (2016CH70150)

Digvijay Das (2015CH70160
Primary Recovery
 Secondary Recovery

● Injects pressurised gas and water to drive

the residual crude oil and gas remaining
after the primary oil recovery phase to the
surface wells
● Allows additional 25% to 30% of the oil in
the reservoir to be extracted
 Tertiary Recovery

● Injects different materials to improve the flow

between oil, gas and rock, and to recover
crude oil remaining after the primary and
secondary oil recovery phases
● Allows additional 30% to 60% of the oil in the
reservoir to be extracted
 Recovery

Primary Secondary

Natural Flow Artificial lift Water Flood Artificial maintenance

Tertiary

Chemical Thermal Miscible Microbial,

electrical, leaching,
mechanical
Surfactant Polymer Caustic
 EOR-application criteria
The following factors should be considered:

● Depth
● Viscosity
● Permeability
Depth Criteria
Viscosity criteria
Permeability criteria
Application criteria
 EOR techniques

● Thermal injection ( introduction of heat, cyclic steam injection, steam flooding)

● Gas injection ( natural gas, CO2, nitrogen)
● Chemical injection (surfactant flooding, polymer flooding, alkali flooding)
Thermal Injection
 Thermal injection
● Involves the introduction of heat, accounts for 40% of EOR production
● Various methods are used to heat the crude oil in the formation to reduce its
viscosity and/or vaporize part of the oil and thus decrease the mobility ratio
● The increased heat reduces the surface tension and increases the
permeability of the oil. The heated oil may also vaporize and then condense
forming improved oil.
● These methods improve the sweep efficiency and the displacement efficiency.
Steam injection has been used commercially
 Thermal flooding-steam stimulation
● The viscosity of crude oil decreases in considerable magnitude with increase
of temperature in the region 100oF to 200oF (37.8oC to 93.3oC).
● The temperature of a reservoir can be raised by
– Steam Cycling or Stimulation
– Steam Drive
– In situ Combustion.
 Steam stimulation
● The process involves:
- Injection of 5000–15,000 bbl of high quality steam. (1 bbl = 159 litres)
- Shutting-in the well (from 1-5 days) to allow the steam to soak the area
around the injection well
- Placing the injection well into production

● Mechanisms of this process include:

• Reduction of flow resistance by reducing crude oil viscosity.

• Enhancement of the solution gas drive mechanism by decreasing the gas
solubility in an oil as temperature increases.
• Recoveries of additional oil have ranged from 0.21 to 5.0 bbl of oil per barrel
of steam injected
Steam injection-criteria
 Steam drive
● Steam is injected into several injection wells while the oil is produced from other
wells. (different from steam stimulation)
● Some thermal energy is lost in heating the formation rock and water
● The steam moves through the reservoir and comes in contact with cold oil, rock, and
water.
● Mechanisms of this process
– include thermal expansion of the crude oil
– viscosity reduction of the crude oil,
– changes in surface forces as the reservoir temperature increases,
– and steam distillation of the lighter portions of the crude oil
● Oil recoveries have ranged from 0.3 to 0.6 bbl of oil per barrel of steam injected.
 In situ combustion
• Forward dry combustion process
– Ignition of crude oil downhole.
– Injection of steam of oxygen enriched air
– Propagation of flame front through the reservoir heating oil.
– Heat loss

• Wet combustion process

– Beginning as a dry process
– Once flame front is established, the oxygen stream is replaced by water.
– Water meets hot zone left by combustion front, turns into steam, and aids the
displacement of oil.
– Usage of otherwise wasted energy

• As the heavy components in the oil are combusted, lighter components as well as
flue gases are formed. These gases are produced with the oil and raise the effective
API gravity of the produced oil.
Gas Injection
 Natural Gas Injection (Cycling)
Natural gas injection or ‘Cycling’ is used to prevent the
natural gas liquids (condensate) separating from the
natural gas in the reservoir (due to the pressure drop in
the natural gas field, which makes extraction practically
impossible).

The condensate is stripped from the gas on the surface

after it has been produced from the reservoir, and the dry
gas is then re-injected into the reservoir through injection
wells (to maintain pressure in the reservoir).

Efficient way of disposing uneconomical (low) levels of gas

production. Previously they were burned off and often
environmental regulations were violated.
(Alagorni et al., 2015) [2]
Reference. 2. Alagorni, A.; Yaacob, Z.; Nour, A.; An Overview of Oil Production Stages: Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques and Nitrogen Injection; International Journal
of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 6, No. 9, September 2015 DOI: 10.7763/IJESD.2015.V6.682
 CO2 Injection
CO2 flooding can be an ideal tertiary recovery method (when pressure in the oil reservoir is
depleted).

On injecting CO2 into the reservoir: CO2 dissolves in oil, resulting in swelling of the oil and
reduction in the viscosity of the hydrocarbons. Hence, it will be easier to sweep to the
production well.

If the well is suitable for CO2 flooding, then the pressure is first restored by water injection and
then CO2 is injected.

The method is particularly effective in reservoirs deeper than 2,000 ft, where CO2 will be in a
supercritical state. (Alagorni et al., 2015) [2]

Reference. 2. Alagorni, A.; Yaacob, Z.; Nour, A.; An Overview of Oil Production Stages: Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques and Nitrogen Injection;
International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 6, No. 9, September 2015 DOI: 10.7763/IJESD.2015.V6.682
In CO2 injection method, 50% - 66% of the
injected CO2 returns with the produced oil. This is
usually re-injected into the reservoir to minimize
operating costs.

CO2 as a solvent has the benefit of being more

economical than other similarly miscible fluids
such as propane and butane.

Generally difficult to collect sufficient amounts of

CO2.

Availability of CO2 from the flue gas of coal power

plants can make the CO2 injection method more
economical

Reference. 2. Alagorni, A.; Yaacob, Z.; Nour, A.; An Overview of Oil Production Stages: Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques and Nitrogen Injection;
International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 6, No. 9, September 2015 DOI: 10.7763/IJESD.2015.V6.682
 Nitrogen Flooding
When nitrogen is injected into a reservoir, a miscible front is formed by vaporizing some of the
lighter components from the oil.

Natural gas enriched nitrogen front moves away from the injection wells, contacting new oil and
vaporizing more components, thereby enriching itself still further.

The leading edge of this gas front becomes so enriched that it goes into solution, or becomes
miscible with the reservoir oil. The interface between the oil and gas disappears, and the fluids
blend as one.

Continued injection of nitrogen pushes the miscible front through the reservoir, moving a bank of
displaced oil toward production wells.

Water slugs are injected alternately with the nitrogen to increase the sweep efficiency and oil
recovery. (Alagorni et al., 2015) [2]

Reference. 2. Alagorni, A.; Yaacob, Z.; Nour, A.; An Overview of Oil Production Stages: Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques and Nitrogen Injection;
International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 6, No. 9, September 2015 DOI: 10.7763/IJESD.2015.V6.682
Nitrogen Flooding
 Nitrogen Flooding
Nitrogen can be separated from air by cryogenic methods. So there is unlimited source for this gas.

Conditions required for applying nitrogen flooding (Alagorni et al., 2015) [2]:

– Lighter hydrocarbons (C2-C6 or Light oils having an API gravity >35O)

– The oil should have a high formation-volume factor.

– Capability of absorbing added gas under reservoir conditions.

– The oil should be under-saturated or low in methane (C1).

– The reservoir should be at least 5,000 feet deep to withstand the high injection pressure
(in excess of 5,000 psi) necessary for the oil to attain miscibility with nitrogen without
fracturing the producing formation.

Reference. 2. Alagorni, A.; Yaacob, Z.; Nour, A.; An Overview of Oil Production Stages: Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques and Nitrogen Injection;
International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol. 6, No. 9, September 2015 DOI: 10.7763/IJESD.2015.V6.682
 Comparison of Gas Injection Techniques
Nitrogen
Source Produced from air by
cryogenic separation
Features Inert and non-corrosive.
No need of corrosion
inhibitor.
Existing injection system
may be used.
Installation of cryogenic
separation unit on-site can
be a challenge.
CO2
•No natural source
•Captured from flue gas of
coal power plant
Corrosive: need special
corrosion inhibitors
/corrosion resistant
infrastructure.
Plugging due to asphaltene
precipitation.
CO2 removal from
production is costly.
Only very slightly miscible
with crude
Natural Gas
Recycled from the reservoir
itself
Efficient way of using
uneconomical/ low levels of
gas production, instead of
burning it off.
Stripping of dry gas from the
condensate can be a
challenge.
Chemical Injection
Why Chemical Injection?
Injection of various chemicals as dilute solutions, aids mobility by reducing surface tension and
viscosity.

Injection of a dilute solution of a water soluble polymer increases the viscosity of the injected
water. This way relative mobility of the oil phase increases and thus increases oil recovery.

Injection of dilute solutions of surfactants such as petroleum sulfonates or biosurfactants (like

rhamnolipids) lowers the interfacial tension or capillary pressure. Special formulations of oil,
water and surfactant, microemulsions can be particularly effective in this.

Injection of alkaline solutions into reservoirs with oil that has organic acids naturally occurring in
the oil will result in the production of soap that may lower the interfacial tension enough to
increase oil recovery.
Polymer Flooding
Water soluble polymers with high molecular weights (greater than the average molecular
weights of the crude oil) are injected into the oil reservoir in order to increase the relative
mobility of the crude oil.

Addition of polymer increases the viscosity of aqueous phase, thus reducing its mobility. Thus,
giving us better relative mobility of the oil phase. (Alvarado et al., 2010) [3]

Polyacrylamide powder or PAM is a non-toxic powder (having long-chain molecular structure)

that is used in polymer flooding.

Benefits : Improved oil recovery, Increased sweep efficiency, Significantly less water required
(compared to typical water flooding & steam injection), Suitable for reservoirs with heavy oil
formations.

Reference. 3. Alvarado, V.; Manrique, A.; Enhanced Oil Recovery: An Update Review; Energies 2010, 3, 1529-1575; doi:10.3390/en3091529
Surfactant Flooding
A suitable surfactant is chosen to lower the interfacial tension of the crude oil and the injected
fluid to almost zero. Examples of surfactants used: petroleum sulfonates or biosurfactants (like
rhamnolipids).

Interfacial tension and wettability of the rocks by oil is lowered by the presence of surfactants
(act as impurities). Due to low interfacial forces, capillary forces are reduced too. Thus,
displacement of the crude oil and injected fluid mixture further increases. (Alvarado et al., 2010) [3]

Reference. 3. Alvarado, V.; Manrique, A.; Enhanced Oil Recovery: An Update Review; Energies 2010, 3, 1529-1575; doi:10.3390/en3091529
Alkali Flooding
Addition of alkali or caustic solutions to the oil reservoir performs one or more of
the following mechanisms: reducing interfacial tension, altering wettability and
spontaneous emulsification.

Injection of alkaline solutions into reservoirs with oil that has organic acids naturally
occurring in the oil will result in the production of soap that may lower the interfacial
tension enough to increase oil recovery. (Alvarado et al., 2010) [3]

Reference. 3. Alvarado, V.; Manrique, A.; Enhanced Oil Recovery: An Update Review; Energies 2010, 3, 1529-1575; doi:10.3390/en3091529
Why Chemical Injection Techniques ?
Due to technical and economic considerations, chemical flooding, especially polymer
flooding, is currently the preferred tertiary oil recovery technique. (Alvarado et al., 2010) [3]

Application of these methods is usually limited by the cost of the chemicals, their adsorption
and loss onto rocks.

Critical points:

– Chemical selected should not affect the physical & chemical properties of the oil field.

– After crude oil is extracted, the chemical waste, oil sludge and water in the residual liquid
must be then treated according to environmental protection standards. The treated water
must be recycled and reused for tertiary oil recovery and the oil sludge must be disposed.

Reference. 3. Alvarado, V.; Manrique, A.; Enhanced Oil Recovery: An Update Review; Energies 2010, 3, 1529-1575; doi:10.3390/en3091529
Questions
1) What is the difference between primary and secondary recovery?
Questions
1) What is the difference between primary and secondary recovery?

Answer: Primary recovery uses natural reservoir pressure while secondary recovery
uses pressurised gas and water
Questions
2) Name 3 factors for EOR application criteria
Questions
2) Name 3 factors for EOR application criteria.

Answer: Depth, Viscosity and permeability

Questions
3) What is cycling and why is it used?
Questions
3) What is cycling and why is it used?

Answer: Natural gas injection or ‘Cycling’: It is the re-injection of stripped dry-gas

from recovered crude, back to the reservoir using injection well.

It is used to prevent the natural gas liquids (condensate) separating from the natural
gas in the reservoir (due to the pressure drop in the natural gas field, which makes
extraction practically impossible).
Questions
4) Name a polymer used in polymer flooding technique and its use.
Questions
4) Name a polymer used in polymer flooding technique and its use.

Answer: Polyacrylamide powder or PAM is a non-toxic powder (having long-chain molecular

structure) that is used in polymer flooding.

Addition of polymer (MW greater than average MW of the crude oil) increases the viscosity of
aqueous phase, thus reducing its mobility. Thus, giving us better relative mobility of the oil
phase.
Questions
5) What is the use of surfactant flooding?
Questions
5) What is the use of surfactant flooding?

Answer: A suitable surfactant is chosen to lower the interfacial tension of the crude oil and
the injected fluid to almost zero.
Interfacial tension and wettability of the rocks by oil is lowered by the presence of surfactants
(act as impurities).
Thus, displacement of the crude oil and injected fluid mixture further increases.
References
1) Simon, R.; Enhanced oil recovery: Definitions, fundamentals, applications, and research frontiers; Physics
and Chemistry of the Earth Volumes 13–14, 1981, Pages 447-460 DOI: 10.1016/0079-1946(81)90022-7
2) Alagorni, A.; Yaacob, Z.; Nour, A.; An Overview of Oil Production Stages: Enhanced Oil Recovery
Techniques and Nitrogen Injection; International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol.
6, No. 9, September 2015 DOI: 10.7763/IJESD.2015.V6.682
3) Alvarado, V.; Manrique, A.; Enhanced Oil Recovery: An Update Review; Energies 2010, 3, 1529-1575;
doi:10.3390/en3091529