bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultralow-Interfacial-Tension Foam Injection Strategy Investigation in High Temperature Ultra-High Salinity Fractured Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Dong Pengfei , Puerto Maura , Ma Kun , Mateen Khalid , Ren Guangwei , Bourdarot Gilles , Morel Danielle , Biswal Sibani Lisa , Hirasaki George 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Oil recovery in many carbonate reservoirs is challenging due to unfavorable conditions such as oil-wet surface wettability, high reservoir heterogeneity and high brine salinity. We present the feasibility and injection strategy investigation of ultralow-interfacial-tension (ultralow-IFT) foam in a high temperature (above 80°C), ultra-high formation salinity (above 23% TDS) fractured carbonate reservoir.
Because a salinity gradient is generated between injection sea water (4.2% TDS) and formation brine (23% TDS), a frontal-dilution map was created to simulate frontal displacement processes and thereafter used to optimize surfactant formulations. IFT measurements and bulk foam tests were also conducted to study the salinity gradient effect to ultralow-IFT foam performance. Ultralow-IFT foam injection strategies were investigated through a series of core flood experiments in both homogenous and fractured core systems with initial two-phase saturation. The representative fractured system included a well-defined fracture by splitting core sample lengthwise and controllable initial oil/brine saturation in the matrix by closing the fracture with a rubber sheet at high confining pressure.
The surfactant formulation showed ultra-low IFT (10-2-10-3 mN/m magnitude) at the displacement front and good foamability at under-optimum conditions. Both ultralow-IFT and foamability properties were found to be sensitive to the salinity gradient. Ultralow-IFT foam flooding achieved over 60% incremental oil recovery compared to water flooding in oil-wet fractured systems due to the selective diversion of ultralow-IFT foam. This effect resulted in crossflow near foam front, with surfactant solution (or weak foam) primarily diverted from the fracture into the matrix before the foam front, and oil/high-salinity brine flowed back to the fracture ahead of the front. The crossflow of oil/high-salinity brine from the matrix to the fracture was found to make it challenging for foam propagation in the fractured system by forming Winsor II condition near foam front and hence killing the existing foam.
Results in this work demonstrated the feasibility of ultralow-IFT foam in high temperature, ultra-high salinity fractured carbonate reservoirs and investigated the injection strategy to enhance the low-IFT foam performance. The ultralow-IFT formulation helped mobilize the residual oil for better displacement efficiency. The selective diversion of foam makes it a good candidate as a mobility control agent in fractured system for better sweep efficiency.
Improving the Performance of EOR in Unconventional Oil Reservoirs Using Advanced Completion Technology
Authors: Konopczynski Michael , Dowlatabad Mojtaba Moradi 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
This paper describes the use of advanced completions employing passive inflow control devices (ICD) and autonomous inflow control devices (AICD) in multi-zone horizontal wells to improve the distribution of gas injection and to restrict premature production of gas in gas injection soak EOR process for unconventional oil wells.
The recovery efficiency of unconventional oil reserves is very low due to the micro-permeability of these reservoirs and rapid depletion of pore pressure proximal to the fractures and wellbore. Several enhanced oil recovery schemes have been proposed to stimulate production and increase recovery efficiency in these reservoirs by injecting gas or carbon dioxide in fracture stimulated, long horizontal wells, and either producing oil from adjacent wells (gas injection flooding drive mechanism), or by back-producing the injectant and reservoir fluids in the same wellbore after a suitable "soak" period (huff and puff).
The effective distribution of the injected gas in these wells and the ability to keep the gas in the reservoir to maintain energy can greatly affect the recovery efficiency that can be achieved. Advanced completions utilizing appropriately designed ICDs and AICDs can enhance the performance of these EOR schemes.
ICDs can be used to balance the distribution of gas injection along the length of the wellbore, while AICDs can help control the early back-production of gas. The Autonomous Inflow Control Device (AICD) is an active flow control device that delivers a variable flow restriction in response to the properties (viscosity) of the fluid flowing through it. Water or gas flowing through the device is restricted more than oil. When used in a horizontal well, segmented into multiple compartments, this design prevents excessive production of gas after breakthrough occurs in one or more compartments.
The implementation of advanced completions in EOR applications has been studied by reservoir and well performance simulation. This proper use of ICDs and AICDs in these applications can significantly improve recovery efficiency without further well intervention.
To evaluate the performance of the AICD, a comprehensive multi-phase flow model of the autonomous performance has been developed and workflow created for simulation of performance within the reservoir. This paper will describe the experience with the technology and modelling prediction for EOR projects.
Laboratory Evaluation of Novel Surfactant for Foam Assisted Steam EOR Method to Improve Conformance Control for Field Applications
Authors: Mukherjee Biplab , Patil Pramod D. , Gao Michael , Miao Wenke , Potisek Stephanie , Rozowski Pete 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Steam injection is a widespread thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method to increase oil mobility. The introduction of steam heats the reservoir, ultimately lowering oil viscosity and in turn enhancing heavy oil recovery. In the steam injection process, recovery of oil is limited by steam channeling due to reservoir heterogeneities. Early breakthrough implies that there is a large consumption of steam and incomplete reservoir drainage. Injection of surfactant with steam and a non-condensable gas such as nitrogen can generate foam in situ. Foam will redirect steam, increase apparent viscosity and reduce steam channeling. Although the technology is promising, it is not always economically attractive due to the large volumes that must be injected continuously, high adsorption of surfactant on reservoir rocks, and limited thermal stability of the surfactant. The opportunity exists to design steam foam surfactant formulations with improved performance at high temperature.
In this paper, a systematic approach to screen surfactants for field applications at high temperature is presented. A feasibility test was conducted with the surfactant formulation (HSF-X) at target reservoir conditions to understand the thermal stability and adsorption behavior of the surfactant. Investigation found that the thermal decomposition and adsorption of the surfactant on sandstone rock under static conditions was mimimum at 200°C. In core flood testing conducted using silica sand and natural sandstone cores, foam generated by injecting N2 and HSF-X surfactant solution was able reduce steam mobility between 40 to 100 times at 100°C and 10 to 15 times at 200°C more compared to steam mobility in the absence of the foam. Finally oil recovery experiments at 200°C using silica sand cores indicated the ability of the HSF-X surfactant to foam in the presence of oil and enhance recovery of oil (a +20% increase in the original oil in place (OOIP) was observed).
A New Way of Compositional Simulation Without Phase Labeling
Authors: Khorsandi Saeid , Li Liwei , Johns Russell T. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Current relative permeability models rely on phase labeling, and cannot accurately capture the effect of compositional variations on relative permeabilities and capillary pressures in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes. Discontinuities in flux calculations not only cause serious convergence and stability, but also affects the estimated recovery factor. We developed a fully compositional simulation model using an equation of state (EoS) for relative permeabilities to eliminate the unphysical discontinuities in flux functions caused by phase labeling. In addition, we extended our relative permeability EoS to three phases. The model can capture complex hysteresis effects on three-phase relative permeability. The tuned model is used for simulation of multi-cycle WAG injection. The approach allows for a new search scheme to improve initial estimates for flash calculation. The results show increased robustness of high-resolution compositional simulation for both front calculations (recovery estimates) and convergence of flash algorithms.
This paper provides a novel way forward to develop a fully compositional reservoir simulation based solely on continuous and robust equation-of-state relative permeabilities. In addition, this paper provides a detailed analysis of the effects of discontinuous phase labeling on simulation performance and accuracy for 1-D and 2-D water-alternating-gas flooding and three-hydrocarbon-phase flow. The results demonstrate the significant benefits of using an EoS for relative permeabilities.
An Advanced Electrochemical System for EOR Produced Water Desalination and Reduced Polymer Consumption
Authors: Sparrow Ben , Ebsary Adrian , Mandel Derek , Man Malcolm 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Pilot testing results and economics from a novel electrochemical desalination technology for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) produced water are presented. The pilot objectives were: (1) economically desalt produced water to improve hydrocarbon recovery and lower polymer consumption costs for chemical flood EOR; (2) inform full scale plant development with a field pilot; and (3) optimize pre-filtration, chemical consumption, and energy use to realize a greater than 20% return on investment through reduced polymer consumption.
The paper will present EOR operators with a novel option to reuse produced water as low salinity injection water and recycle polymer to reduce chemical EOR flood operating costs.
Recent Developments in Hybrid Surfactant-Gas EOR Mechanisms with Advanced Modeling
Authors: Lashgari Hamid R. , Taghavifar Mohsen , Pope Gary 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
This paper presents numerical modeling of low tension surfactant gas based EOR method. In this process, slugs of various surfactant solutions and gas are alternated injected to mobilize remained oil left from water flood. The objective of this paper is to model the mechanisms behind the process by history matching the experimental data and simulation of a field-scale reservoir pilot. A four-phase chemical flooding reservoir simulator (UTCHEM) was used to history match a published core flood experiment and simulate a pilot-scale case. The results from the history match reveale that interfacial tension (IFT) reduction between oil and water by surfactant, displacement of oil by gas, and the mobility control of gas are the main mechanims lead to a substantioal increase in oil recovery. Based on these key findings, modeling of the low-tension surfactant-gas flood shows that such a process is very positive for low permeability reservoirs with a 90% oil recovery of the initial oil saturation (Sio=0.56) in a coreflood experiment and a range of recovery factors between 50% to 70% of the water flood in large scale cases.
Mechanistic Study for the Applicability of CO2-EOR in Unconventional Liquids Rich Reservoirs
Authors: Alfarge Dheiaa , Wei Mingzhen , Bai Baojun 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
In shale oil reservoirs, Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) methods are relatively considered as new concepts compared with in conventional oil reservoirs. Different IOR techniques have been investigated by using lab experiments, numerical simulation studies, and limited pilot tests. Unconventional IOR methods include injecting CO2, surfactant, natural gas, and water. However, CO2 injection is the most investigated option due to different reasons. CO2 has lower miscibility pressure with shale oils, and has special properties in its supercritical conditions, and CO2 injection also solves greenhouse problems. In this paper, numerical simulation methods of compositional models were incorporated with LS-LR-DK (logarithmically spaced, locally refined, and dual permeability) reservoir models and Local Grids Refinement (LGR) of hydraulic fractures conditions to investigate the feasibility of CO2 injection in shale oil reservoirs. Different mechanisms for CO2 interactions with organic surface, shale brine, and shale oil were implemented in different scenarios of numerical models. Molecular diffusion mechanisms, adsorption effects, and aqueous solubility effects were simulated in this study. In addition, linear elastic models and stress-dependent correlations were used to consider geomechanics coupling effects on production and injection processes of CO2-EOR in shale oil reservoirs. Some of the results for this simulation study were validated by matching the performance of some CO2 fields’ pilots performed in Bakken formation, in North Dakota and Montana portions.
This study extremely found that some of the CO2-EOR pilot tests have a match with the typical simulated diagnostic plots which have CO2 molecular-diffusion rate that is significantly low. Furthermore, this research indicated that CO2 molecular diffusion mechanism has a clearly positive effect on CO2-EOR in huff-n-puff protocol; however, this mechanism has a relatively negative effect on continuous flooding mode of CO2-EOR. Both of dissolution and adsorption mechanisms have a negative effect on CO2 performance in terms of enhancing oil recovery in unconventional formations. Geomechanics coupling has a clear effect on CO2-EOR performance, and different geomechanics models have a different validity in these shale plays. Stress dependent correlations give the best match with CO2-EOR pilots in Bakken formation while linear elastic models would give the best match in Eagle Ford formation. This study explains the effects of different nano and macro mechanisms on the performance of CO2-EOR in unconventional reservoirs since these plays are much complex and very different from conventional formations. Also, general guidelines have been provided in this study to enhance success of CO2-EOR in these types of reservoirs.
A Continuous and Predictive Viscosity Model Coupled to a Microemulsion Equation-Of-State
Authors: Khodaparast Pooya , Johns Russell T. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Surfactant floods can attain high oil recovery if optimum conditions with ultra-low interfacial tensions (IFT) are achieved in the reservoir. A new equation-of-state (EoS) phase behavior model based on the hydrophilic-lipophilic difference (HLD-NAC) has been shown to fit and predict phase behavior data continuously throughout the Winsor I, II, III, and IV regions. The state-of-the-art for viscosity estimation, however, uses empirical non-predictive models based on fits to salinity scans, even though other parameters change, such as the phase number and compositions. In this paper, we develop the first-of-its-kind microemulsion viscosity model that gives continuous viscosity estimates in composition space. This model is coupled to our existing HLD-NAC phase behavior EoS.
The results show that experimentally measured viscosities in all Winsor regions (two and three-phase) are a function of phase composition, temperature, pressure, salinity, and EACN. More specifically, microemulsion viscosities associated with the three-phase invariant point have an "M" shape as formulation variables change, such as from a salinity scan. The location and magnitude of viscosity peaks in the "M" are predicted from two percolation thresholds after tuning to viscosity data. These percolation thresholds as well as other model parameters change linearly with alkane chain length (EACN) and brine salinity. We also show that the minimum viscosity in the "M' shape correlates linearly with alkane chain length (EACN) or viscosity ratio. Other key parameters in the model are also shown to linearly correlate with EACN and brine salinity Based on these correlations, two and three-phase microemulsion viscosities are determined in five-component space (surfactant, two brine, and two oil components) independent of flash calculations. Phase compositions from the EoS flash calculations are input into the viscosity model. Fits to experimental data are excellent, as well as viscosity predictions for salinity scans not used in the fitting process.
An Experimental Study of Enhanced Oil Recovery EOR Using a Green Nano-Suspension
Authors: Wei Bing , Qinzhi Li , Wang Yanyuan , Gao Ke , Pu Wanfen , Sun Lin 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
In this work, a novel nano-suspension (NS), which was mainly composed of a surface functionalized nano-cellulose, was successfully developed for "green" chemical EOR use. The rheological analysis indicated that this NS was a pseudo-plastic (shear-thinning) fluid and presented noticeable viscoelasticity. The oil displacement behaviors of this NS were thoroughly examined using core flooding methods. The EOR efficiency dependence of the NS on permeability, oil viscosity and injected volume was included. The experimental results showed that the NS flooding (NSF) further improved the oil recovery by 3-17% on the basis of water flooding. Furthermore, micro flow tests were conducted in a visual micro-model to study its flow behaviors in porous media and EOR mechanisms. Through the micro-model, the displacement behaviors and mechanisms including emulsification, dragging/squeezing and wettability alteration, were visually observed. These properties promise this NS as a green displacement agent for chemical EOR.
2018 EOR Survey in China-Part 1
Authors: Guo Hu , Dong Jiayu , Wang Zhengbo , Liu Huifeng , Ma Ruicheng , Kong Debing , Wang Fuyong , Xin Xiankang , Li Yiqiang , She Haicheng 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
This paper provides field scale EOR survey in China which is in line with biennial worldwide EOR survey published by Oil& Gas Journal (OGJ). The EOR progress in China is not available due to language difference and other reasons in OGJ EOR survey. From 2018, EOR survey in China will be published biennially. The first part of this survey mainly focuses on basic information. Chemical flooding, unconventional heavy oil, green recovery and natural gas recovery progress in China will be surveyed and discussed in detail in the other four parts elsewhere. The EOR projects including field tests and field applications in China are summarized in the same pattern as OGJ to the largest extent for better readership outside China. Most data is collected from published journal papers and reports. Different from other countries, there are only four major oil companies in China: CNPC, SINOPEC, CNOOC and Yanchang Oil. The 28 branch companies of these four companies are both operator and owners. Oil and gas production from CNOOC is all offshore. CNPC is the largest oil company in China and its oil production in 2016 accounts for 54% oil production in China. EOR survey in China includes chemical flooding (polymer, SP and ASP flooding, gas flooding (CO2, nitrogen and air), thermal production, MEOR, and foam flooding. EOR production in China in 2016 accounts for 18% total oil production, while chemical EOR accounts for 10 %. Up to present, there has been more than 34 ASP flooding projects in China, most in Daqing. The total ASP oil production in 2016 is 407 million tons. More than 30 SP flooding projects have been carried out, with incremental oil recovery factor of 7%-18% OOIP. More than 170 polymer flooding projects have been carried out. Polymer flooding has been used widely in Daqing, Shengli, Xinjiang, Liaohe, He'nan and Bohai. The incremental oil recovery from polymer flooding and ASP flooding is 7%-15% and 18%-30% OOIP respectively. Gas flooding in China is not as successful as chemical EOR. Polymer flooding production in the largest offshore oilfield in CNOOC accounts for 25% total oil production in 2016. While EOR production in China accounts for 15%-18% in recent years, however, the world EOR oil production only accounts for about 3.3% total oil production. EOR is greatly affected by oil price, as indicated from 26 years EOR content change in America. It is the first time that detailed EOR survey in China in line with worldwide EOR survey in OGJ is given. The EOR survey in China provides valuable and helpful information for engineers and researchers in oil and gas industry.
Impact of Miscibility Enhancing Additives on the Flooding Scheme in CO2 EOR Processes
Authors: Rommerskirchen Renke , Bilgili Harun , Fischer Julian , Sottmann Thomas 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Favorable interactions between injection gas and crude oil are crucial for successful carbon dioxide (CO2) recovery processes. The miscibility behavior and thereby the flooding scheme changes with the pressure applied. Although first contact miscibility (FCM) flooding schemes result in most efficient recovery processes, in many cases multiple contact miscibility (MCM) provides economically viable recovery rates already at lower injection pressure. Thus, the determination of the miscibility pressure is a key step in the lab evaluation for CO2 EOR. Miscibility enhancing additives are able to improve the interactions between CO2 and crude oil leading to reduced miscibility pressure.
This paper illustrates an easily applicable procedure to identify the pressure required for full miscibility. Using a pressure resistant sapphire cell the phase behavior of mixtures of different crude oils and CO2 with and without additives was investigated at common reservoir conditions. The effect of the additives on the physical phase behavior of CO2/crude oil mixtures and the benefit that can be achieved by their application will be discussed.
The miscibility gaps are determined by measuring the phase behavior of CO2/additive/crude oil mixtures as a function of pressure and temperature. The pressure required for full miscibility (physical minimum miscibility pressure (MMPP)), coming along with an FCM scheme, can easily be detected as the pressure above which the miscibility gap closes and a homogeneous mixture is obtained. Another important point, which was determined in this study, was the critical point of the miscibility gap. Its corresponding pressure is the maximum value of the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) from a thermodynamical viewpoint, above which MCM schemes take place. Hence, knowledge of the critical point of the mixture is an easy to use method to estimate the maximum value of the MMP for a specific reservoir. Adding proper additives to the CO2 improves the miscibility of injection gas and crude oil. By this the miscibility gap shrinks and both the MMP and the MMPP will be reduced significantly compared to the pure CO2/crude oil system.
The method presented is a proper, quick, and low-cost alternative to the time-consuming and expensive slim tube experiments commonly used in the oil industry to measure the MMP. Since at pressures above the MMP an MCM procedure is ensured by physics it is the lowest injection pressure that needs to be applied to ensure miscible CO2 EOR. Reducing the MMP and the MMPP using proper additives can lead to a more economical CO2 flood or can even make reservoirs accessible for this technology, which are naturally not.