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Enhanced oil recovery - nitrogen. Large fractures, water drive make Andector field a prime target

Journal Article · · Drill Bit; (United States)
OSTI ID:5293540

An immiscible nitrogen displacement project is expected to recover 973,928 bbl of tertiary oil from the Andector (Ellenburger) field in NW Ector County, Texas. Operated by Phillips Petroleum Co., the project began November 30, 1981, on the 1293-acre Embar lease in the south fault block of the Andector field, the highest of all Ellenburger fields in W. Texas in terms of cumulative production. (Total production as of January 1, 1981 was 151.2 million bbl). The nitrogen technique was chosen by Phillips due to the type of rock and the active water drive in this area. The aquifer is shared by several other Ellenburger fields in a 3-county area. The formation of interest is a highly fractured, vulgar, medium-to-fine-grained crystalline dolomite, fairly typical for the Ellenburger in W. Texas. It occurs between 7782 ft and 8835 ft. Overall porosity is 3.8%. Permeability is in the 2000-md range. At least 40% of the porosity is in solution cavities or vugs. The way in which nitrogen is used in the Ellenburger is discussed, along with the advantages and disadvantages of its use.

OSTI ID:
5293540
Journal Information:
Drill Bit; (United States), Journal Name: Drill Bit; (United States) Vol. 32:3; ISSN DRBIA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English