2023 年 11 月 21 日

Enhancing Reservoir Recovery

through Advanced Techniques

学生： 蒋 森
学号： 9106220001

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中国地质大学（北京）
 Outline 目录

1. Presentation Structure Overview

2. Importance of EOR Techniques
3. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Methods
4. Significance of Reservoir Simulation
5. Case Study
6. Conclusion

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 1. Introduction to Advanced Reservoir
Engineering
Advanced reservoir engineering is a specialized field within petroleum engineering that focuses on optimizing the
recovery of oil and gas from underground reservoirs. It goes beyond the fundamental principles of reservoir
engineering to employ sophisticated techniques and strategies aimed at increasing hydrocarbon production. This
discipline addresses complex challenges associated with mature and unconventional reservoirs, such as enhanced
oil recovery (EOR) methods, reservoir simulation, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies to maximize
the extraction of oil and gas resources.

Advanced reservoir engineers study and apply various methods, including the injection of fluids (such as water,
gas, or chemicals) to improve reservoir sweep efficiency, reservoir modeling and simulation to predict reservoir
behavior, and the development of innovative strategies to tackle the unique challenges presented by specific
reservoirs. The goal is to enhance oil and gas recovery rates while also addressing environmental and
sustainability concerns. Advanced reservoir engineering plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficient and
responsible extraction of hydrocarbons from subsurface reservoirs.

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 1. Objectives of the Presentation

1. Explore Advanced Reservoir Engineering Techniques: We will delve into sophisticated methods used in
reservoir engineering to optimize oil and gas recovery.
2. Understand Their Application in Enhancing Reservoir Recovery: This will involve understanding how these
techniques are practically applied to increase hydrocarbon production.

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 2. Importance of EOR Techniques

EOR techniques are critical in advanced reservoir engineering as they provide means to enhance hydrocarbon
recovery, extend the life of mature reservoirs, optimize reservoir performance, and contribute to sustainable and
environmentally responsible resource extraction. These techniques are at the forefront of increasing the efficiency
and effectiveness of oil and gas production in a continually evolving energy landscape.

Reasons:
1. Increased Recovery Factor: EOR techniques are designed to extract additional hydrocarbons from reservoirs
beyond what can be recovered through primary and secondary recovery methods. This leads to a significant
increase in the overall recovery factor, allowing for the extraction of a larger portion of the oil and gas initially
in place.

2. Maximizing Asset Value: EOR methods can extend the economic life of oil and gas reservoirs. By recovering
more resources, they help maximize the value of the asset and increase the return on investment for operators
and stakeholders.

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 2. Importance of EOR Techniques

3. Addressing Mature Reservoirs: Many oilfields around the world are considered mature, meaning they have
been producing for an extended period, and primary and secondary recovery methods have been exhausted.
EOR techniques are particularly valuable in rejuvenating such reservoirs and maintaining production levels.

4. Improving Sweep Efficiency: EOR methods, such as waterflooding and gas injection, help improve the sweep
efficiency of reservoirs. They displace oil more effectively, pushing it toward production wells and reducing
the residual oil saturation in the reservoir.

5. Maintaining Reservoir Pressure: Gas injection methods, including the injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) and
nitrogen (N2), are used to maintain reservoir pressure. This prevents the collapse of the reservoir and enhances
oil displacement, ensuring a consistent and stable production rate.

6. Reducing Viscosity: Thermal EOR techniques, such as steam injection, reduce the viscosity of heavy and
highly viscous oils. This makes it easier to displace and produce these types of oil, which would be challenging
to recover using conventional methods.

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 2. Importance of EOR Techniques

7. Environmental Benefits: Some EOR methods, like carbon capture and storage (CCS) associated with CO2
injection, have environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They enable the sequestration of
CO2 underground, contributing to carbon emissions mitigation.

8. Technological Advancements: As advanced reservoir engineering incorporates cutting-edge technologies, the

development and implementation of EOR techniques benefit from ongoing innovations, such as reservoir
monitoring, advanced well completions, and real-time data analytics.

9. Sustainability and Resource Management: EOR techniques align with sustainability goals and responsible
resource management. They help make the most of existing reservoirs while reducing the need for drilling new
wells, minimizing surface environmental impact.

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 3. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods are advanced techniques used in reservoir engineering to increase the
recovery factor of oil and gas from subsurface reservoirs. These methods aim to extract a higher percentage of the
hydrocarbons present in the reservoir, especially after primary and secondary recovery methods have been
employed. Here are some common EOR methods and explanations for each:

1. Waterflooding:
• Waterflooding is a widely used EOR technique involving the injection of water into the reservoir. This method
helps displace oil by creating pressure gradients and pushing the oil towards production wells. It improves
sweep efficiency by displacing oil in a controlled manner and maintaining reservoir pressure. Waterflooding is
effective in reservoirs with a relatively high water-to-oil ratio.

2. Gas Injection (CO2 and N2):

• Gas injection, using gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2), is another EOR method. Injected
gases help reduce the viscosity of the oil, maintain reservoir pressure, and improve the displacement of oil.
This method is suitable for reservoirs with heavy and viscous oil, as it enhances oil mobility and recovery.

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 3. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods

3. Thermal Recovery:
• Thermal recovery involves the application of heat to the reservoir to reduce the viscosity of the oil. This
method makes the oil flow more easily, facilitating its extraction. Steam injection and in-situ combustion are
common thermal recovery techniques. They are particularly useful for heavy and highly viscous oil reservoirs.

4. Chemical EOR:
• Chemical EOR methods involve the injection of chemicals into the reservoir to alter the properties of oil and
rock. This can include the use of surfactants to reduce interfacial tension between oil and water, polymer
flooding to improve sweep efficiency, and alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding to address reservoir
wettability and mobility control. These methods are effective in reservoirs with specific challenges, such as
reservoir heterogeneity.

5. Microbial EOR:
• Microbial EOR is an emerging method that utilizes microorganisms to enhance oil recovery. Certain
microorganisms can change the properties of reservoir fluids, reduce oil viscosity, and produce gases that
improve oil displacement. This method is still under development but shows promise for certain reservoir
types. 9
 3. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods

Each EOR method is chosen based on the reservoir's specific characteristics, including rock and fluid properties,
well configuration, and production history. Advanced reservoir engineers carefully evaluate these factors to
determine the most suitable EOR technique that will maximize hydrocarbon production while considering
economic and environmental considerations.

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 4. Significance of Reservoir Simulation

Reservoir simulation is of utmost significance in advanced reservoir engineering and the oil and gas industry as a
whole. It aids in understanding and managing reservoirs efficiently, optimizing production, assessing and
implementing EOR methods, mitigating risks, and ensuring responsible resource extraction. It is a fundamental
tool for reservoir engineers and operators to make informed decisions that impact both economic and
environmental aspects of hydrocarbon production. Reservoir simulation is a critical tool in the field of reservoir
engineering and is crucial for several reasons:

1. Predicting Reservoir Behavior: Reservoir simulation allows engineers to create mathematical models that
replicate the behavior of underground reservoirs over time. By inputting geological, petrophysical, and
production data, engineers can predict how the reservoir will respond to various extraction and management
strategies. This predictive capability is essential for optimizing field development plans.

2. Optimizing Production Strategies: Reservoir simulation helps in determining the most effective and efficient
strategies for oil and gas production. Engineers can test different scenarios, including well placement, drilling
schedules, injection strategies, and fluid management, to identify the approaches that yield the highest
hydrocarbon recovery and financial return.
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 4. Significance of Reservoir Simulation

3. Understanding Fluid Flow: The software used in reservoir simulation models the complex flow of fluids (oil,
gas, water) within the reservoir. This understanding is vital for assessing the movement of these fluids,
identifying potential flow barriers or sweep inefficiencies, and making informed decisions to improve
recovery.

4. Evaluating Reservoir Performance: Reservoir simulation enables engineers to continuously monitor and
evaluate the performance of the reservoir as it is produced over time. This real-time data helps in making
timely adjustments to maximize production rates and minimize operational issues.

5. Assessing Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Methods: Reservoir simulation is instrumental in the assessment and
optimization of EOR techniques, such as waterflooding, gas injection, and thermal recovery. Engineers can
simulate the impact of these methods on reservoir performance, helping to select the most suitable EOR
approach.

6. Risk Mitigation: Reservoir simulation aids in quantifying uncertainties and risks associated with reservoir
development and management. By performing sensitivity analyses and probabilistic modeling, engineers can
make informed decisions and develop risk-mitigation strategies. 12
 4. Significance of Reservoir Simulation

7. Reducing Environmental Impact: Reservoir simulation can be used to assess the environmental impact of
reservoir operations. It helps in optimizing strategies to minimize environmental harm, such as water usage,
carbon emissions, and land disruption.

8. Regulatory Compliance: In many regions, oil and gas operations are subject to environmental regulations and
reporting requirements. Reservoir simulation can help operators ensure compliance with these regulations by
providing accurate data and predictions of reservoir behavior.

9. Cost Savings: By accurately predicting reservoir behavior and optimizing production strategies, reservoir
simulation can lead to significant cost savings by reducing unnecessary drilling, avoiding production
bottlenecks, and optimizing resource utilization.

10. Training and Education: Reservoir simulation software is a valuable tool for training new engineers and
researchers in the field of reservoir engineering. It allows them to gain practical experience and develop a
deeper understanding of reservoir behavior.

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 4. Significance of Reservoir Simulation

Reservoir simulation is of utmost significance in advanced reservoir engineering and the oil and gas industry as a
whole. It aids in understanding and managing reservoirs efficiently, optimizing production, assessing and
implementing EOR methods, mitigating risks, and ensuring responsible resource extraction. It is a fundamental
tool for reservoir engineers and operators to make informed decisions that impact both economic and
environmental aspects of hydrocarbon production.

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 5. Case Study

Case Study: Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) in Daqing Oilfield, China

Description: Daqing Oilfield, located in Heilongjiang, China, is one of the largest oilfields globally and provides a
compelling case for EOR application.

Approach: The EOR technique employed here is the "Polymer Flooding" method, where polymer solutions are
injected to displace remaining oil.

Results:
Increased Oil Recovery: Polymer flooding increased oil recovery from mature reservoirs by up to 15%.

Enhanced Sweep Efficiency: It improved sweep efficiency by reducing water cut and maintaining reservoir
pressure.

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 6. Conclusion

Summary of Key Points

1. Explored Advanced Reservoir Engineering Techniques:

• We examined advanced methods like EOR, reservoir simulation, and real case studies.

2. Application of Advanced Techniques:

• Discussed how these techniques can be practically applied to increase oil and gas recovery.

3. Role of Advanced Reservoir Engineering:

• Emphasized the pivotal role of advanced reservoir engineering in enhancing recovery and maximizing
hydrocarbon production.

4. Future Trends and Challenges:

• Discussed future trends and challenges in the field, such as sustainability and environmental concerns.

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 2022 年 08 月 21 日

谢 谢！
请老师和各位同学批评指正
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中国地质大学（北京）
 Q&A

The floor is now open for questions and discussions.

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