MEOR From Lab to Field

Abstract

Progression of Microbial EOR (MEOR) technology from the laboratory towards field trial is described. An overview is provided of evaluation steps and field trial risk management through laboratory testing and numerical simulation, together with assessment of operational factors which could impact a long-duration field trial. Previously MEOR has often been applied in onshore operations which carry relatively low risk. Where MEOR is to be applied in high value wells or higher risk environments such as the arctic or offshore deepwater, a higher degree of assurance is necessary to mitigate technical risks and maximise economic value. It is also essential to have sufficient understanding of base performance to ensure appropriate application and interpretation of the EOR process. To ensure success of an MEOR process, there needs to be a sufficient understanding of the performance of the microbes and the relevant MEOR mechanisms operating in the specific reservoirs. Multiple processes have been characterised and represented to enable improved understanding of a microbial technology and its potential field implementation. This paper will focus on screening of candidate reservoirs, and the methodology adopted to upscale core-scale results to prediction of performance in the field. This will include the choice of simulation models used for mechanistic understanding at the core scale and prediction of performance at the reservoir scale. It will also discuss some of the field operational aspects which need to be considered for well selection for field trial, including injectivity and surveillance requirements. Potential constraints on application of MEOR in the field have been identified, assessed and mitigated where possible in order to maximise chances of success. MEOR technologies are often poorly understood, which creates uncertainty and apprehension around their use. The approach described here has been used to reduce uncertainty in progressing towards field application of a novel MEOR technology.

Studi Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery Skala Laboratorium Dan Penerapannya Di Lapangan Minyak

“…Berbagai faktor yang mempengaruhi keberhasilan penerapan MEOR di lapangan, telah dilaporkan antara lain oleh Larter, et al, 2008 yang Di berbagai negara, penerapan teknologi MEOR di lapangan telah dilakukan antara lain di Argentina (1995( dan 2004( ), Cina (1999( -2002, Iran (2003), dan Amerika (1996-2002 (Marshall, 2008). Kegiatan MEOR masih terus berlanjut dan beberapa publikasi tentang MEOR telah dilaporkan antara lain oleh Thrasher, et al, 2010, yang melakukan penelitian untuk meyakinkan bahwa keberhasilan proses MEOR sangat dipengaruhi oleh kinerja mikroba dalam menghasilkan bioproduk dalam kondisi reservoir tertentu. Nmegbu and Pepple, 2014, melakukan pemodelan proses stimulasi sumur sebelum mengaplikasikan teknologi MEOR di lapangan.…”

A New Comprehensive Approach for Predicting Injectivity Decline during Waterflooding

“…The particle population heterogeneity may be significant while applying some enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods, such as low salinity water injection, fines-assisted waterflooding, and microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) (Banat, 1995;Lemon et al, 2011;Morrow and Buckley, 2011;Thrasher et al, 2010;Valdya and Fogler, 1992;Zahner et al, 2011). Low salinity of water is unfavorable for particle attachment (Sayyouh, 2002;Yuan and Shapiro, 2011a).…”