Optimum gas saturation for maximum oil recovery from displacement by water

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1968 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5692132

Land, C S

The influence of a free gas saturation of recovery by water drive is investigated. A digital computer is used to calculate the combined oil recovery from solution-gas drive to various states of depletion and then oil recovery by water displacement at these states of depletion. Results of these calculations are compared, and optimum conditions for the maximum oil recovery are found for various fluid- rock systems. For most of the fluid-rock systems, the calculations show an optimum gas saturation other than zero. Using fluid and rock properties as parameters, graphs are plotted showing the optimum gas saturation and the increase in oil recovery brought about by the gas saturation. The effects of fluid properties and relative permeability on the optimum gas saturation are seen in these graphs. The graphs can be used as guides in connection with other considerations in determining the optimum time to start a waterflood. They should also be helpful in determining the MER of a water-drive reservoir. (14 refs.)

• Research Organization: US Bureau Mines
• OSTI ID: 5692132
• Report Number(s): CONF-680926-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE2216
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
GAS SATURATION
MECHANICS
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
OIL WELLS
PERMEABILITY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PRIMARY RECOVERY
PRODUCTIVITY
RECOVERY
ROCK MECHANICS
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
SATURATION
STIMULATION
WATERFLOODING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS