Optimization of Oil Recovery Techniques in Mature Oil Fields

Project Abstract

This project aims to address the critical challenge of enhancing oil recovery from mature oil fields, which are experiencing declining production rates due to the depletion of primary and secondary recovery methods. As global energy demands continue to rise, the need to maximize the extraction of hydrocarbon resources from existing fields has become increasingly important, both from an economic and an environmental perspective. Mature oil fields are characterized by a significant reduction in reservoir pressure and a high water-cut, making traditional recovery techniques less effective. This project will focus on investigating and optimizing advanced oil recovery techniques that can be applied to these challenging environments, with the goal of increasing the overall recovery factor and extending the productive life of the fields. The key objectives of this project are threefold first, to conduct a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in oil recovery technologies, including enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods, such as chemical flooding, thermal recovery, and microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR); second, to develop and validate numerical models that can accurately simulate the complex physical and chemical processes occurring in mature oil reservoirs; and third, to design and implement pilot-scale field trials to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of the optimized recovery techniques in real-world conditions. The research methodology will involve a multi-disciplinary approach, combining expertise from various fields, including reservoir engineering, petroleum chemistry, and computational fluid dynamics. The project will begin with a thorough literature review to identify the most promising recovery techniques and understand the underlying mechanisms driving their performance. This will be followed by the development of robust numerical models that can capture the intricate details of the reservoir, such as heterogeneity, wettability, and capillary forces. Once the numerical models have been validated against historical field data, the project will focus on optimizing the recovery techniques through a combination of simulation, laboratory experiments, and pilot-scale field trials. This will involve the evaluation of various parameters, such as the type and concentration of chemical additives, the injection rate and pressure, and the timing and duration of the recovery processes. The anticipated outcomes of this project include the development of a comprehensive toolkit for the optimization of oil recovery techniques in mature oil fields, as well as a set of guidelines and best practices that can be widely adopted by the oil and gas industry. Additionally, the project aims to contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of reservoir engineering and to foster collaborations between industry, academia, and research organizations. The successful completion of this project will have significant implications for the global energy landscape, as it will help to extend the productive life of existing oil fields, reduce the need for new field development, and ultimately contribute to the sustainable and efficient utilization of hydrocarbon resources. Furthermore, the optimization of recovery techniques can have a positive impact on the environment by minimizing the environmental footprint associated with oil production activities.

Project Overview