Waterflood performance, the key to predicting EOR potential

Journal Article · · Well Serv.; ()

OSTI ID:5195707

Byrd, L T; Cunningham, J W

Modern petroleum technology has developed several enhanced oil recovery processes which are capable of mobilizing and moving oil to the well bore, oil that was left in the reservoir after waterflooding. The processes require the injection of expensive fluids and, in some cases, yield only marginal economics. In order for the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques to be successful, a detailed reservoir description and a complete understanding of the reservoir fluid flow paths must be considered in the design process. A detailed review of the waterflood performance history along with a thorough geologic study will yield information that can mean the difference between success and failure of the EOR project. Most of the recovery processes require the injection fluids to move from one well to another. Reservoirs have more complex fluid flow paths than is generally recognized. Assumptions of uniform reservoir characteristics are almost invariably optimistic and can lead to disastrous results in an EOR project, even if the complex process chemistry is thoroughly understood. Only after a thorough study of the primary and secondary performance history can the reservoir characteristics be adequately defined for the designing of an EOR project.

• OSTI ID: 5195707
• Journal Information: Well Serv.; (), Journal Name: Well Serv.; () Vol. 22:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGY
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR ROCK
SWEEP EFFICIENCY
WATERFLOODING
WELLS