scholarly journals Insights into Enhanced Oil Recovery by Polymer-Viscosity Reducing Surfactant Combination Flooding in Conventional Heavy Oil Reservoir

Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Yuqiu Chen ◽  
Hong He ◽  
Qun Yu ◽  
Huan Liu ◽  
Lijun Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Heavy Oil ◽  
Polymer Flooding ◽  
Viscosity Reduction ◽  
Oil Reservoir ◽  
Sweep Efficiency ◽  
Heavy Oil Reservoir ◽  
Incremental Oil Recovery ◽  
Ultralow Ift ◽  
Swept Area

Polymer flooding has a significant potential to enhance oil recovery in a light oil reservoir. However, for polymer flooding in a conventional heavy oil reservoir, due to unfavorable mobility ratio between water and oil, the improvement of sweep efficiency is limited, resulting in a low incremental oil recovery and failure to achieve high-efficiency development for polymer flooding in a conventional heavy oil reservoir. Inspired by the EOR mechanisms of the surfactant-polymer (SP) flooding process, the polymer-viscosity reducing surfactant flooding (P-VRSF) system was proposed to enhance conventional heavy oil recovery. Thus, to gain an insight into enhancing oil recovery by P-VRSF in a conventional heavy oil reservoir, the viscosity property, oil-water interfacial tension property, and oil viscosity reduction property were investigated. A series of parallel sand pack experiments were conducted to investigate enhanced oil recovery ability of polymer flooding and P-VRSF in a heterogeneous reservoir. Then, the 2D micromodel flooding experiments were conducted to investigate the EOR mechanism from porous media to pore level. Results demonstrated that polymer could increase the viscosity of injection water and improve the sweep efficiency. The emulsifying stability of surfactant with ultralow IFT (10-3 mN/m) was worse than that of the surfactant with higher IFT (10-2 mN/m). The viscosity reduction rate of the surfactant with higher IFT was higher than 80% at different oil-water volume ratios. The incremental oi recovery of P-VRSF was higher than that of polymer flooding. Moreover, the polymer-viscosity reducing surfactant with higher IFT could have higher incremental oil recovery. The 2D micromodel flooding results showed that the swept area of polymer flooding and P-VRSF was larger than that of water flooding. Moreover, the swept area of the surfactant with good emulsifying stability was larger than that of the surfactant with ultralow IFT. These findings could provide insights into enhancing oil recovery by P-VRSF in the conventional heavy oil reservoir.

Research Status and Prospect of Heavy Oil Recovery Technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 888 ◽  
pp. 111-117
Author(s):  
Yi Zhao ◽  
De Yin Zhao ◽  
Rong Qiang Zhong ◽  
Li Rong Yao ◽  
Ke Ke Li
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Heavy Oil ◽  
Development Trend ◽  
Thermal Recovery ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Water Flooding ◽  
Oil Reservoir ◽  
Heavy Oil Recovery ◽  
Steam Flooding ◽  
Heavy Oil Reservoir

With the continuous exploitation of most reservoirs in China, the proportion of heavy oil reservoirs increases, and the development difficulty is greater than that of conventional reservoirs. In view of the important subject of how to improve the recovery factor of heavy oil reservoir, the thermal recovery technology (hot water flooding, steam flooding, steam assisted gravity drainage SAGD and steam huff and puff) and cold recovery technology (chemical flooding, electromagnetic wave physical flooding and microbial flooding) used in the development of heavy oil reservoir are summarized. The principle of action is analyzed, and the main problems restricting heavy oil recovery are analyzed The main technologies of heavy oil recovery are introduced from the aspects of cold recovery and hot recovery. Based on the study of a large number of literatures, and according to the development trend of heavy oil development, suggestions and prospects for the future development direction are put forward.

Development Optimization for Improving Oil Recovery of Cold Production in a Foamy Extra-Heavy Oil Reservoir

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaopeng Yang ◽  
Xingmin Li ◽  
Heping Chen ◽  
Hariharan Ramachandran ◽  
Yang Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Heavy Oil ◽  
Oil Reservoir ◽  
Heavy Oil Reservoir

Enhancing Heavy-Oil-Recovery Efficiency by Combining Low-Salinity-Water and Polymer Flooding

SPE Journal ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Yang Zhao ◽  
Shize Yin ◽  
Randall S. Seright ◽  
Samson Ning ◽  
Yin Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Heavy Oil ◽  
High Salinity ◽  
Polymer Flooding ◽  
Heavy Oil Recovery ◽  
Sweep Efficiency ◽  
Low Salinity ◽  
Low Salinity Water ◽  
Salinity Water ◽  
Increased Oil Recovery

Summary Combining low-salinity-water (LSW) and polymer flooding was proposed to unlock the tremendous heavy-oil resources on the Alaska North Slope (ANS). The synergy of LSW and polymer flooding was demonstrated through coreflooding experiments at various conditions. The results indicate that the high-salinity polymer (HSP) (salinity = 27,500 ppm) requires nearly two-thirds more polymer than the low-salinity polymer (LSP) (salinity = 2,500 ppm) to achieve the target viscosity at the condition of this study. Additional oil was recovered from LSW flooding after extensive high-salinity-water (HSW) flooding [3 to 9% of original oil in place (OOIP)]. LSW flooding performed in secondary mode achieved higher recovery than that in tertiary mode. Also, the occurrence of water breakthrough can be delayed in the LSW flooding compared with the HSW flooding. Strikingly, after extensive LSW flooding and HSP flooding, incremental oil recovery (approximately 8% of OOIP) was still achieved by LSP flooding with the same viscosity as the HSP. The pH increase of the effluent during LSW/LSP flooding was significantly greater than that during HSW/HSP flooding, indicating the presence of the low-salinity effect (LSE). The residual-oil-saturation (Sor) reduction induced by the LSE in the area unswept during the LSW flooding (mainly smaller pores) would contribute to the increased oil recovery. LSP flooding performed directly after waterflooding recovered more incremental oil (approximately 10% of OOIP) compared with HSP flooding performed in the same scheme. Apart from the improved sweep efficiency by polymer, the low-salinity-induced Sor reduction also would contribute to the increased oil recovery by the LSP. A nearly 2-year pilot test in the Milne Point Field on the ANS has shown impressive success of the proposed hybrid enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) process: water-cut reduction (70 to less than 15%), increasing oil rate, and no polymer breakthrough so far. This work has demonstrated the remarkable economical and technical benefits of combining LSW and polymer flooding in enhancing heavy-oil recovery.

Superiority of Superheated Steam Flooding in Development of High Water-Cut Heavy Oil Reservoir

2012 ◽  
Vol 616-618 ◽  
pp. 992-995
Author(s):  
An Zhu Xu ◽  
Long Xin Mu ◽  
Xiang Hong Wu ◽  
Zi Fei Fan ◽  
Lun Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Oil ◽  
Superheated Steam ◽  
High Water ◽  
Viscosity Reduction ◽  
Saturated Steam ◽  
Oil Reservoir ◽  
Heavy Oil Reservoir ◽  
High Water Cut ◽  
Water Cut ◽  
Steam Stimulation

The dryness of superheated steam is 100% and it exists in the form of pure steam whose properties are like ideal gas. When the steam has a large degree of superheat, it may take a relatively long time to cool, during which time the steam is releasing very little energy and transmitted long distances. The heating radius of superheated steam in the formation is 5-10m larger than saturated steam. In the heating area of superheated steam, the comprehensive effects by superheated steam (crude oil viscosity reduction, improved flow environment, changes in rock wettability and improved oil displacement efficiency, etc.) is much higher than that of saturated steam. Superheated steam stimulation in Kenkyak high water cut heavy oil reservoir pilot test results showed that the average daily oil production of single well by superheated steam stimulation was 2-4 times than that of saturated steam stimulation. Superheated steam is more effective to heat water-invaded oil reservoir than saturated steam.

Study on Enhancing Oil Recovery by Indigenous Microorganisms in a Heavy Oil Reservoir

2013 ◽  
Vol 807-809 ◽  
pp. 2624-2628
Author(s):  
Qing Feng Cui ◽  
Li Na Yi ◽  
Han Ping Dong
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Heavy Oil ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Oil Reservoir ◽  
Oil Well ◽  
Formation Water ◽  
Indigenous Microorganisms ◽  
Heavy Oil Reservoir ◽  
Reducing Bacteria ◽  
Microbial Flooding

The feasibility of enhancing oil recovery in Xinjiang oilfield with heavy oil reservoir was studied. The results showed that main microbial populations in the reservoir were saprophytic, hydrocarbon-oxidizing, nitrate-reducing bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, and fermentative. Given optimized carbon and nitrogen sources, the indigenous microorganisms generated gases, which mostly were CO2, and amount of gases could reach 1.3 times volume as nutrient solution. The effect of MEOR was evaluated by a sand pack experiment, and the oil recovery was 9.5%. The test with the injection of nutrient and air was carried out. Field performance monitoring and product ion tracking results showed: 1the indigenous microorganisms were activated with the number increased 2-3, and microbial population structure changed apparently; 2The content of CO2 and CH4 in the gas of oil well changed slightly; 3the properties formation water were changed, the content of HCO3- in formation water varied greatly, and emulsion were found. 4Although Indigenous Microbial Flooding Technology may be a potential technique for the development of oilfields, that biogas generated by microbes is not the primary mechanism of Indigenous Microbial Flooding Technology is determined.

scholarly journals The Research and Application of Microbial Degradation Technology on Heavy Oil Reservoir in Huabei Oilfield

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 01054
Author(s):  
Guan Wang ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Yaxiu Fu ◽  
Lisha Duan ◽  
Xizhi Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Heavy Oil ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Effective Rate ◽  
Water Flooding ◽  
Oil Reservoir ◽  
Displacement Efficiency ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Reservoir Conditions ◽  
Heavy Oil Reservoir

Mengulin sandstone reservoir in Huabei oilfield is low- temperature heavy oil reservoir. Recently, it is at later stage of waterflooding development. The producing degree of water flooding is poor, and it is difficult to keep yield stable. To improve oilfield development effect, according to the characteristics of reservoir geology, microbial enhanced oil recovery to improve oil displacement efficiency is researched. 2 microbial strains suitable for the reservoir conditions were screened indoor. The growth characteristics of strains, compatibility and function mechanism with crude oil were studied. Results show that the screened strains have very strong ability to utilize petroleum hydrocarbon to grow and metabolize, can achieve the purpose of reducing oil viscosity, and can also produce biological molecules with high surface activity to reduce the oil-water interfacial tension. 9 oil wells had been chosen to carry on the pilot test of microbial stimulation, of which 7 wells became effective with better experiment results. The measures effective rate is 77.8%, the increased oil is 1,093.5 tons and the valid is up to 190 days.

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