Why some waterfloods fail

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1968 · World Oil; (United States)

OSTI ID:6330848

Jackson, R W

A recent survey of waterflood operators indicates that poor sweep efficiency, unusual and unexpected expenses, and equipment malfunctions are responsible for about 90% of all economic waterflood failures. Poor sweep efficiency can be traced to reservoir problems involving permeability variations, fluid properties, fluid distribution, fluid saturations, or fracture systems. The second most frequent reason for economic failure of a flood is improper plugging of oil wells. The remedial work required to repair these wells may require the expenditure of large sums of money not aniticipated when the project was designed. Under-design of injection and/ or producing facilities may result in equipment being unable to handle the increased fluid loads involved. It is noted that unfavorable permeability variation can promote water bypassing and large quantities of oil in place in the reservoir. When the fractured reservoirs are flooded, early water breakthrough can be expected if both injection and producing wells are located along the fracture plane.

• Research Organization: Keplinger and Assoc
• OSTI ID: 6330848
• Journal Information: World Oil; (United States), Journal Name: World Oil; (United States) Vol. 166:4; ISSN WOOIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
OIL WELLS
PERMEABILITY
PETROLEUM
PLUGGING
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
WATERFLOODING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS