Microscopic rock characterization and influence of slug size on oil recovery by CO 2 miscible flooding in carbonate oil reservoir

S. A. Shedid, R. A. Almehaideb, A. Y. Zekri

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Carbon Dioxide (CO 2) has been recognized as a preferred miscible solvent for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods. Miscible flooding by CO 2 has proven its positive effectiveness through numerous laboratory and field projects. The main goals of this study are to provide microscopic reservoir rock characterization, and optimize the selection and the effect of CO 2 slug size to be applied for carbonate oil field, U. A. E., on oil recovery by CO 2 miscible flooding. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is used to provide accurate description of the reservoir rock surface topography. The SEM is used to attain the pore size distribution of the rock. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer (EDS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) are applied for detailed accurate analysis of elements constituting the rock. Five flood experiments were performed to achieve the goals of this study. The first experiment was carried out using continuous CO 2 flooding. Other three experiments used different CO 2 slug sizes of 0.15, 0.30, and 0.45 hydrocarbon pore volume and chased by actual reservoir brine. The fourth experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance of waterflooding. All experiments were performed using actual crude oil injected into actual reservoir rock samples of almost 23 cm length and 10 cm diameter. These samples were saturated at initial-oil-in-place condition and then subjected to water and/or CO 2 floodings. The minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) was calculated to be 3,700 psia using current correlations from literature. To secure good miscibility condition, all experiments were conducted under injection pressure of 4,200 psia and at 250°F similar to the reservoir condition. The results indicated that water flooding recovered 66% IOIP and a continuous CO 2 miscible flood produced 96% IOIP. Furthermore, the increase of slug size increases oil recovery by CO 2 miscible flooding, but the slug size of 0.15 HCPV is recommended since the increment in oil recovery using larger slugs does not represent significant addition to the oil recovery in comparison to applied smaller slug sizes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages263-274
Number of pages12
Publication statusPublished - 2005
EventIIORC 05 - 2005 SPE International Improved Oil Recovery Conference on Asia Pacific - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Duration: Dec 5 2005Dec 6 2005

Other

OtherIIORC 05 - 2005 SPE International Improved Oil Recovery Conference on Asia Pacific
Country/TerritoryMalaysia
CityKuala Lumpur
Period12/5/0512/6/05

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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