Design, performance, and evaluation of the uniflood micellarpolymer process--Bell Creek Field

Conference · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5467200

Holm, L W; Goldburg, A

Gary Energy Corporation conducted a DOE cost-shared 40-acre Demonstration Pilot project to determine whether or not micellar-polymer flooding is a feasible technique to enhance oil recovery from the Bell Creek Field, Montana. Water injection into the new 40-acre 5-spot pilot pattern began in October 1977 and was to be followed immediately by the micellar-polymer process. However, the complex reservoir definition work extended this pilot 5-spot waterflood to fifteen months, through January 1979. The micellarpolymer (Uniflood) process commenced in February 1979 with preflush injection (16.4% PV); micellar slug injection (3.8% PV) began August 1979 and polymer injection (100% PV) began October 1979. The average remaining oil saturation in the 40 acres was estimated to be 30.5% at the start of chemical injection. This paper includes a summary of the micellarpolymer process design, the micellar-polymer oil recovery results projected to project completion, an analysis of the geology and fluid chemistry within the pilot area, and an interpretation and evaluation of the overall performance of the project. A high pH preflush and the use of a chelating agent in the micellar slug minimized the effects of the multivalent ions present in the reservoir. Also, adjustments in the components used in the soluble oil slug made it possible to regain a favorable phase relationship with the reservoir fluids despite the lower-than-design quality sulfonates.

• Research Organization: Union Oil Co.
• OSTI ID: 5467200
• Report Number(s): CONF-820927-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE11196
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CHELATING AGENTS
DATA ANALYSIS
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
DRILLING
ENHANCED RECOVERY
ESTERS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MICROEMULSION FLOODING
MINERAL RESOURCES
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
MONTANA
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
OIL FIELDS
OIL SATURATION
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM SULFONATES
PH VALUE
RECOVERY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESERVOIR FLUIDS
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SATURATION
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SULFONATES
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
WATERFLOODING
WELL COMPLETION
WELL DRILLING
WELLS