Innovation and Reputation: The

Power of Multidisciplinary
Science and Engineering in
Enhanced Oil Recovery
MOHAMMAD AZIS MAHARDIKA
INSTITUT TEKNOLOGI NASIONAL BANDUNG
12 SEPTEMBER 2023
Outline
•Introduction
• Oil recovery
• Enhanced oil recovery

•EOR (CO2 Flooding)

•Challenges
•Multidisciplinary Approach
•Multidisciplinary Innovation
•Building Reputation Through Innovation
•Conclusion
 Cheap
Storage

Introduction

1. Fossil Fuel is still dominant even

though renewable energy is increasing
significantly
2. How to maintain the petroleum
supply?
3. How to reduce carbon emission?

Source :
1.[1] Jackson RB, et al. (2022). "Global fossil carbon emissions rebound near pre-COVID-19 levels". Environmental Research Letters. 17 (3): 031001. arXiv:2111.02222. Bibcode:
2022ERL....17c1001J. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ac55b6. S2CID 241035429. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
[2] Gong, L.; Nie, L.; Xu, Y. Geometrical and Topological Analysis of Pore Space in Sandstones Based on X-ray Computed Tomography. Energies 2020, 13, 3774. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13153774
[3] Souzy, M., Lhuissier, H., Méheust, Y., Le Borgne, T., & Metzger, B. (2020). Velocity distributions, dispersion and stretching in three-dimensional porous media. Journal of Fluid
Mechanics, 891, A16. doi:10.1017/jfm.2020.113
 Introduction
Void

How to extract the oil inside the porous media ?

Source :
[1] https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Oil_and_gas_reservoir#cite_note-2
[2] Gong, L.; Nie, L.; Xu, Y. Geometrical and Topological Analysis of Pore Space in Sandstones Based on X-ray Computed Tomography. Energies 2020, 13, 3774. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13153774
[3] Souzy, M., Lhuissier, H., Méheust, Y., Le Borgne, T., & Metzger, B. (2020). Velocity distributions, dispersion and stretching in three-dimensional porous media. Journal of Fluid
Mechanics, 891, A16. doi:10.1017/jfm.2020.113
 Oil Recovery

Difference in viscosity

Viscous Finger

Interface shape not uniform

Source :
[1] https://web.tuat.ac.jp/~nagatsu/en/research.html
[2] https://www.kecol.co.uk/viscous-pumping-systems-for-viscous-pumps-and-high-viscosity-pumps/
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etGmPlfm4lg
 Oil Recovery

Capillary Pressure

Efficiencies of water flooding is low

Source :
[1] https://web.tuat.ac.jp/~nagatsu/en/research.html
around 20 %
[2] https://glossary.slb.com/en/terms/t/trapped_oil
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etGmPlfm4lg
 Enhanced Oil Recovery
How to increase the efficiencies ? Thermal Method
EOR (Enhanced Oil Recoveries)

Reduce viscosity by heating the oil

Source :
[1] https://transform-mpi.com/training-enhanced-oil-3/
[2] https://www.kecol.co.uk/viscous-pumping-systems-for-viscous-pumps-and-high-viscosity-pumps/
[3] Souzy, M., Lhuissier, H., Méheust, Y., Le Borgne, T., & Metzger, B. (2020). Velocity distributions, dispersion and stretching in three-dimensional porous media. Journal of Fluid
Mechanics, 891, A16. doi:10.1017/jfm.2020.113
 Enhanced Oil Recovery
How to increase the efficiencies ?
Chemical Method
EOR (Enhanced Oil Recoveries)

Chemical used to help extract the oil

Surfactant reduce the interfacial

tension -> oil become smaller

Polymer increase the viscosity of

injection fluid -> suppress viscous finger

Source :
[1] P. Druetta, et al., Applied Energy 252: 15 October 2019, 113480.
 Enhanced Oil Recovery
How to increase the efficiencies ?
Miscible Method
EOR (Enhanced Oil Recoveries)

CO2 used to help extract the oil

CO2 is miscible with oil -> no

interfacial tension

CO2 could be store inside the

reservoir -> Reduce global warming

Source :
[1] P. Druetta, et al., Applied Energy 252: 15 October 2019, 113480.
 CO2 EOR Mechanism
Purpose :
Increase oil production
Reduce global warming by CO2 storage

Source :
[1] https://web.tuat.ac.jp/~nagatsu/en/research.html
[2] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13202-016-0233-y/figures/6
[3] https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Schematic-of-CO-2-injection-in-oil-reservoirs-a-oil-produced-by-direct-CO-2_fig1_334696431
 Challenges in EOR and Carbon Injection
1. Availability and Sourcing of CO2
2. Reservoir Compatibility
3. Corrosion and Material Compatibility
4. Mobility Control
5. Caprock Integrity
6. Monitoring and Modeling
7. Regulatory and Environmental Considerations
8. Energy Requirements
9. Geological Risk

These challenges are complex and consist of different expertise to solve. Therefore, it is important to collaborate with other

Source :
 Multidisciplinary Approach

Petroleum Engineering Geology and Geophysics

Materials
Science

Chemistr Machine Learning Fluid Dynamics

Source : y
 Multidisciplinary Approach
1.Petroleum Engineering: Petroleum engineers are central to the planning, design, and execution of CO2 flooding projects. They are
responsible for reservoir characterization, well design, injection strategies, and monitoring of reservoir behavior.
2.Geology and Geophysics: Geologists and geophysicists provide insights into the geological characteristics of the reservoir, including its
structure, porosity, permeability, and the distribution of oil and gas. Seismic surveys and geological modeling help in understanding the
subsurface.
3.Chemistry: Understanding the chemical interactions between CO2, formation fluids, and reservoir rocks is critical. Chemists can help in
predicting the potential for mineral reactions, such as carbonate dissolution or precipitation, that may affect reservoir performance.
4.Materials Science and Engineering: Materials scientists play a role in selecting corrosion-resistant materials for wellbore equipment and
infrastructure, ensuring the integrity and safety of the CO2 injection system.
5.Fluid Dynamics and Modeling: Fluid dynamics experts use mathematical models to simulate the flow of CO2 and reservoir fluids
within the reservoir. These models help in optimizing injection rates, pressures, and well placements.
6.Monitoring and Sensing Technologies: Engineers and scientists develop and deploy advanced monitoring technologies, such as
downhole sensors and remote sensing techniques, to track the movement of CO2 and changes in reservoir properties.
7.Data Analytics and Machine Learning: Data scientists and machine learning experts can analyze large datasets generated during CO2
flooding projects to extract valuable insights and improve decision-making.

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 Innovations
1.Advanced Reservoir Characterization:
Innovations in seismic imaging, well logging, and reservoir modeling techniques allow for more accurate and detailed
characterization of reservoirs. This helps in identifying potential CO2 EOR candidates and optimizing injection strategies.
2.CO2 Mobility Control:
Researchers are developing new methods to control the mobility of injected CO2 within the reservoir. This includes the use
of foam, nanoparticles, and polymers to improve CO2 conformance and reduce channeling.
3.Nanotechnology:
Nanoparticles can be used to alter the wettability of reservoir rocks, improving CO2 trapping and displacement efficiency.
Nanoemulsions can enhance oil recovery by stabilizing CO2 in the reservoir.
4.Machine Learning and Data Analytics:
Advanced data analytics and machine learning are applied to process vast amounts of data from reservoir simulations,
monitoring systems, and historical data. These tools help in optimizing injection strategies and predicting reservoir behavior.
5.High-Performance Materials:
The development of advanced materials resistant to corrosion and high-temperature, high-pressure conditions in CO2
injection wells contributes to the safety and longevity of CO2 EOR projects.
6.Environmental Considerations and Carbon Management:
Innovations focus on minimizing the environmental footprint of CO2 EOR projects by improving CO2 capture technologies
and ensuring secure carbon storage (carbon capture and storage, CCS).

Source :
 Building Reputation Through Innovation
1.Oil and Natural Gas Companies: Many oil and natural gas companies have invested in CO2 flooding as part of their
commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management. Examples include:
• Occidental Petroleum (Oxy): Oxy is a leader in CO2 flooding and carbon capture and utilization (CCU)
technologies. They have implemented large-scale CO2 EOR projects and are recognized for their efforts in using
captured CO2 for enhanced oil recovery.
• Denbury Resources: Denbury is a company specializing in CO2 EOR projects. They are known for their
significant portfolio of CO2 flooding projects across the United States, which have increased oil production while
sequestering CO2.
2.Research Institutions and Universities: Numerous research institutions and universities conduct groundbreaking
research on CO2 flooding and its environmental impacts. Some notable researchers and organizations include:
• Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG) at the University of Texas at Austin: BEG researchers have contributed to
the development of CO2 flooding technologies and the assessment of CO2 storage capacities in various reservoirs.
• Stanford University's Center for Carbon Storage: Researchers at Stanford are at the forefront of CO2 flooding
research, exploring innovative techniques and modeling approaches to optimize oil recovery and reduce
environmental impacts.
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 Building Reputation Through Innovation
3. Government Agencies: Government agencies play a crucial role in supporting research and development efforts related
to CO2 flooding and carbon capture. For example:
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): The DOE has funded numerous research projects related to CO2 EOR and
carbon capture technologies. Their support has helped advance sustainable practices in the industry.
4.Carbon Management Organizations: Some organizations are dedicated to promoting sustainable carbon management
practices, including CO2 flooding. For instance:
• Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA): The CCSA is a UK-based organization that advocates for the
development and deployment of CCS technologies, including CO2 flooding, as part of a sustainable energy
transition.
5.Environmental and Energy Research Groups: Various environmental and energy research groups around the world
focus on CO2 flooding's role in reducing emissions and improving oil recovery. These groups often collaborate with
industry and academia to advance sustainable practices.
6.International Collaborations: Organizations and researchers participating in international collaborations, such as the
Global CCS Institute and the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF), gain recognition for their efforts to share
knowledge and best practices in CO2 flooding and carbon capture.

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Conclusion
Multidisciplinary science and engineering are instrumental in driving innovation and enhancing the reputation of the Enhanced
Oil Recovery (EOR) field. Here's a reiteration of their importance and an inspiration to actively contribute to the field's
advancement:
Importance of Multidisciplinary Science and Engineering in EOR:
1.Comprehensive Problem Solving: EOR challenges are multifaceted, requiring expertise from various disciplines such as
petroleum engineering, geology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, and more. A multidisciplinary approach ensures a
holistic understanding of reservoir behavior and facilitates the development of effective solutions.
2.Innovation: The convergence of diverse knowledge domains sparks innovation. Solutions often emerge at the intersection of
different disciplines. Multidisciplinary teams are more likely to discover novel technologies and techniques that can
revolutionize EOR practices.

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Thank You