Strategy for Calibrating a Field-Scale Numerical Simulation Study for the Implementation of a Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery Pilot Using Core Flooding and Pre-Pilot Experiments

Bozorgzadeh, Manijeh; Stofferis, M.; Yznaga, R. Angulo; Cubillos, H.; Yuste, E..; Montes, Jesús; Gallego, P. Alonso; Rodríguez, R.; Fernandez, Paul; Blin, Nicolas; Prieto, C. Allende

doi:10.2118/175666-ms

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 18 publications

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“…These experiments assessed the good performance in porous media of formulations based on ABS C6-C30 and provided preliminary data for EOR reservoir model. Simulations of this heterogeneous reservoir led to the optimization of the viscosity of the EOR slugs (Bozorgzadeh 2015). As a result, in the following experiments polymer was included in the main chemical slug.…”

Section: Figure 3-contour Plot Of Interfacial Tension For Blends Abs-mentioning

confidence: 99%

Design of an ASP Pilot for Caracara Sur Oilfield: Selection of Chemicals and Laboratory Assessment

et al. 2016

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The design of an alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) formulation for chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery poses multiple challenges from the experimental point of view. The present research examines the laboratory procedures and experimental results aimed at selecting the most suitable chemicals for an ASP pilot trial at the Caracara Sur field (Los Llanos Basin, Colombia). The key challenge was the limited compatibility of the surfactant and polymer selected under reservoir conditions (temperature and total salinity), leading to phase separation of the ASP solution and losses of the activity of both chemicals. An extension of the experimental program was required to re-design the formulation and mitigate risks of damaging the formation in the following field trials. The formulation comprised an alkyl benzene sulfonate as main ingredient, a hydrolyzed polyacrylamide as viscosifying agent and some weak alkali to reach the optimum salinity of the mixture. A mono-alkyl diphenyl disulfonate ether was added as coupling agent to improve compatibility of the ASP mixture. The performance of the selected ASP formulation was assessed by means of interfacial tension measurements, long-term thermal stability tests and dynamic core-flooding tests. The formulation provided ultra-low interfacial tension (Ͻ 10 -2 mN/m) and viscosity enough to assure an appropriate mobility control. Hence, the formulation was considered to be suitable for further testing in the field pilot.

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Section: Figure 3-contour Plot Of Interfacial Tension For Blends Abs-mentioning

confidence: 99%

Design of an ASP Pilot for Caracara Sur Oilfield: Selection of Chemicals and Laboratory Assessment

et al. 2016

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Practical Chemical Formulation Design – Time to Break Away from Micellar Polymer Floods, Again

Dean¹,

Pitts²,

Wyatt³

et al. 2020

Day 3 Wed, September 02, 2020

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With a resurgence of chemical EOR opportunities throughout the world, high concentration surfactant design has re-emerged its uneconomic face. High concentration surfactant formulation is the micellar polymer design from the past that produced high oil recoveries in the lab but were uneconomic in the field. Formulation designs must consider factors beyond simply oil recovery for economic success and to minimize production issues in the field. Analysis and comparison of micellar polymer design projects from the 1970-1980s to current SP/ASP formulation designs are discussed. A simple formulation cost calculator is showcased, costs of all formulations are presented, and price per incremental barrel produced (chemical cost only) are shown assuming a 0.1 PV of incremental recovery. Analysis concludes the following: Micellar polymer floods were phased out because they were uneconomic. Key reasons are high cost of surfactant and emulsion problems faced when produced surfactant concentration exceed a certain threshold resulting in either greater production cost or disposal of produced oil in the form an unbreakable emulsion. Alkali can improve economics as a low-cost commodity product that can be used to reduce surfactant concentration required to attain high oil recoveries. Alkali is an order of magnitude lower cost per pound than the typical surfactant and can be used as an enhancing agent to improve the performance of other injected chemicals. Alkali is not a "silver bullet" that will save economics, and adds challenges and cost for water softening, which can be economically detrimental to field projects. Many high concentration surfactant formulation floods are being re-introduced to the industry. Not only are these designs un-economic but include multiple chemicals that add complexity and cost to the facilities and difficulty for facility personnel. A formulation that requires more than $20 of chemical per barrel of incremental oil is unlikely to be economic with $50/bbl oil. Key differences between laboratory results and field implementation results are discussed. Geologic uncertainty is addressed since it is the greatest challenge to field economic success. The industry is taking steps back to an uneconomic time of chemical EOR by obscuring the difference between designs meant to increase reserves (economic oil) versus those that serve an academic or research purpose. Operators are unwittingly paying the price to advance the science of chemical EOR when service companies provide formulations that are not economic. This paper is meant to remind the industry that high concentration surfactant formulations never were economic and certainly will not be economic in today's price environment.

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Strategy for Calibrating a Field-Scale Numerical Simulation Study for the Implementation of a Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery Pilot Using Core Flooding and Pre-Pilot Experiments

Cited by 2 publications

References 18 publications

Design of an ASP Pilot for Caracara Sur Oilfield: Selection of Chemicals and Laboratory Assessment

Design of an ASP Pilot for Caracara Sur Oilfield: Selection of Chemicals and Laboratory Assessment

Practical Chemical Formulation Design – Time to Break Away from Micellar Polymer Floods, Again

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