A Guide to Chemical Oil Recovery for the Independent Operator

Abstract

Summary This paper is designed as a guide to independent operators considering advanced technology to extend the life and improve recovery in mid-continent fields. Chemical (surfactant-polymer) flooding is a way to recover additional oil after waterflooding. Based on field and laboratory experience, surfactant-polymer flooding is assumed to recover a large fraction of the remaining oil. Major factors impacting chemical flooding oil recovery and economics are identified. The magnitude and relative importance on economics of variations in these major factors are illustrated. An objective of the paper is to set practical limits on major parameters, and thereby define sets of operating and performance conditions required to make chemical flooding economical today. This study employs a simple, reliable, and inexpensive model to predict recoverable oil resulting from application of a surfactant-based chemical flood process. The model is the same Department of Energy (DOE) Chemical Flood Predictive Model (CFPM) used in the 1984 National Petroleum Council (NPC) study1 to predict oil recovery streams. This study applies the major cost elements of chemical flooding and assumes ranges of costs for each element. Independent operators will be able to evaluate their properties for chemical improved oil recovery (IOR) potential and predict their economics. Implementation of chemical flooding will increase the life of some major U.S. fields and produce additional oil unrecoverable by waterflooding.