Qualitative Analysis of Enhanced Oil Recovery: Impacts on Air, Surface Water and Groundwater

Abstract

Utilization of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods increase the economic value of existing fields through increased oil recovery and field life extension. When EOR chemicals are transported, reserved, and injected into deep wells for oil recovery, they may pose environmental problems. So, in order to avoid environmental disasters, environmental impacts of EOR methods must be considered in planning and executing of such methods. Major environmental impacts associated with EOR are contamination of surface water and groundwater, and excessive air emissions especially from thermal operations. The objective of this review paper is to quantify some of the environmental effects of EOR methods in petroleum industry.