Knowledge of the MMP is a critical parameter in assessing the potential of carbon dioxide miscible flooding in Arbuckle reservoirs. The TORP Laboratory at KU is equipped with an apparatus to measure the MMP on crude oils at reservoir temperature and pressure. In a MMP experiment, the slim tube is saturated with reservoir oil and brought to reservoir temperature and pressure. A backpressure regulator on the outlet of the slim tube controls the minimum pressure on the slim tube. Oil recovered from the slim tube is measured.
Oil recovery varies with average flooding pressure.
At pressures below the MMP, oil recovery decreases rapidly with pressure. TORP is conducting a series of MMP experiments on crude oils from major Arbuckle reservoirs in Central Kansas. These data will be used to screen Arbuckle reservoirs as candidates for a potential pilot flood using carbon dioxide.