Oil production in the Orinoco basin

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Pet. Int.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7039751

Borregales, C J

With an extension of 42,000 sq km, the Orinoco basin is one of the largest petroliferous zones in the world which contains high viscosity and low API gravity crude. Results from production tests performed in the central and southern parts of the basin indicate that its productive potential is similar to that in Morichal, Pilon and Jobo fields, and reveals that the heaviest oil existing in the Orinoco basin could be economically exploited by conventional methods of primary oil recovery. It is estimated that the oil recovery could be 5% of the total oil-in-place by using primary recovery methods, 8% by using alternate steam injection, and 20% by secondary recovery methods (continuous steam injection). However, if the compaction phenomenon takes place, an estimate of 5% to 15% additional oil recovery could be possible. Geology, fluid properties, results from production tests, and recovery methods in the Orinoco basin are presented.

• OSTI ID: 7039751
• Journal Information: Pet. Int.; (United States), Journal Name: Pet. Int.; (United States) Vol. 38:2; ISSN PTRIB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: Spanish

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
020300 -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
API GRAVITY
DENSITY
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FIELD TESTS
FLUID INJECTION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
LATIN AMERICA
MINERAL RESOURCES
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PRODUCTION
RECOVERY
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RESOURCES
SOUTH AMERICA
STEAM INJECTION
STIMULATION
TESTING
THERMAL RECOVERY
VENEZUELA
VISCOSITY
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS