Methods of Enhanced Oil Recovery Essay example - 2162 Words

Introduction With almost 200 billion barrels of technically recoverable oil reserves located in the United States alone, it is not surprising why so many companies are adopting enhanced oil recovery techniques in everyday operations (â€Å"Total energy†, 2012). Oil production can be broken down into three main components: primary, secondary, and tertiary recovery. Primary recovery is when the well is first drilled and the natural pore pressure of the rock squeezes hydrocarbons out of the pore space. During this time the hydrocarbons are put under immense pressure and the majority of the liquids and gases will flow to the top. Secondary recovery is when water and gas injection are used to transfer the oil from the reservoir to the surface.†¦show more content†¦Cyclic Steam Stimulation An example of thermal recovery is cyclic steam stimulation which is a method of increasing oil production by going through multiple steam cycles. First a steam generator heats water to produce steam so that the injection wells can heat the surrounding formation. Then the well is shut in and the heat is given time to diffuse into the oil, which reduces the viscosity of oil. Soon afterwards, the well returns to production and the initial oil rate is higher due to the increase in reservoir pressure. Once the heat has dissipated far into the formation, the oil saturation may drop because the porosity no longer has an external force holding the space between the grains open. After the initial cycle has been completed the cycle can be three to four times before production gains become insignificant. Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage Steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) is also a type of thermal recovery which injects steam into horizontal wells for heavy oil reservoir production and tar sand production. (Steam assisted, 2013). SAGD begins by drilling two parallel horizontal wells about four to six meters apart. The upper well will have steam injected into it while the bottom well is used to collect the heavy oils, such as Bitumen. As the steam spreads throughout the formation in all directions, any gases, such as CH4, CO2 and H2S, will ascend to the top of theShow MoreRelatedSelection Methodology For Enhanced Oil Recovery Methods1254 Words   |  6 Pages Advanced Secondary Recovery PNGE 633 Term Paper: Selection Methodology for Enhanced -Oil -Recovery Methods Mohamed Elsaig 10/18/2016 1. Overview The paper introduces how selecting a methodology for enhanced oil recovery methods depends on good planning includes selecting the applicable EOR process, Characterizing the reservoir, defining parameters of the engineering design, accomplish field tests as needed , studying economic, and completing with a plan to achieve the project expectationsRead MoreComparative Study Of Various Enhanced Oil Recovery Essay1659 Words   |  7 PagesCOMPARATIVE STUDY OF VARIOUS ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY METHODS Study Project Report,2nd semester, 2015-16 Prepared by:- Kaveri Singh (2012B2A1621P) Mentor : Dr. Utkarsh Maheshwari Chemical Engineering Department Acknowledgements I feel immense pleasure and pride of being part of â€Å"Birla Institute Of Technology And Science, Pilani† which moduled me to the present state. I acknowledge my deep sense of gratitude towards Dr Utkarsh Maheshwari , my mentor for his constant guidance and advice. Last but notRead MoreIntroduction. 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