Open AccessImproved Efficiency of Miscible CO{sub 2} Floods and Enhanced Prospects for CO{sub 2} Flooding Heterogeneous Reservoirs
Author(s) -
Boyun Guo,
David S. Schechter,
JyunSyung Tsau,
Reid B. Grigg,
Shih-Hsien Chang
Publication year - 1997
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/1608
Subject(s) - enhanced oil recovery , pulmonary surfactant , petroleum engineering , flooding (psychology) , permeability (electromagnetism) , reservoir simulation , saturation (graph theory) , environmental science , relative permeability , chemical engineering , materials science , geology , chemistry , geotechnical engineering , engineering , porosity , psychology , biochemistry , mathematics , combinatorics , membrane , psychotherapist
This work will examine three major areas in which CO{sub 2} flooding can be improved: fluid and matrix interactions, conformance control/sweep efficiency, and reservoir simulation for improved oil recovery. The first full quarter of this project has been completed. We began examining synergistic affects of mixed surfactant versus single surfactant systems to enhance the properties of foams used for improving oil recovery in CO{sub 2} floods. The purpose is to reduce the concentration of surfactants or finding less expensive surfactants. Also, we are examining the effect of oil saturation on the development of foam in CO{sub 2}-surfactant solution systems. CO{sub 2} flooding of low permeability, vugular, and fracture reservoirs are another major thrust of this project. Work conducted this quarter involved simulating gravity stable floods using large core samples; results showed excellent recovery in a low permeability vugular core