Application and enlightenment of carbon dioxide flooding in the United States of America

Abstract

Abstract The application and characteristics of CO 2 flooding in the USA were analyzed and summarized. Supporting techniques of CO 2 flooding were generalized, and then the enlightenment was expounded for CO 2 flooding in China. The development process and forming reasons of CO 2 flooding technology were analyzed and summarized based on systematic tracking of EOR survey data all over the world and sufficient investigation of CO 2 -EOR technology application. With the number of CO 2 flooding projects, scale and annual production as indicators, the current situation of American CO 2 -EOR technology was evaluated. The characteristics of the projects and development-driving force of CO2 flooding in America were also summed up. The characteristics of formation properties, crude oil properties and project timings of American CO 2 miscible flooding projects were outlined emphatically. Meanwhile, the application scale and reservoir adaptability differences between American CO 2 miscible and immiscible flooding were comparatively analyzed. A series of supporting techniques were illuminated with the SACROC CO 2 flooding project as an example. The challenges, technical bottlenecks and suggestions were analyzed and proposed for the promotion of CO 2 miscible flooding technology in China.