Determination of minimum miscibility pressure for CO2 and oil system using acoustically monitored separator

Abstract

All methods which allow to increase recovery from oil field after primary and secondary recovery are called enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) of gas and oil system plays a crucial role during planning and developing of EOR CO2 miscible flooding. The slim tube test (STT), the pressure rising bubble apparatus, the pressure-density diagram (PDD), the vanishing interfacial tension (VIT), etc. have been used as the petroleum industry approaches for evaluation of the MMP for hydrocarbons and CO2. Experiential and theoretical calculations are also applied for the assessment of MMP. This paper presents a new technique to measure MMP and investigate the phase behavior of the analyzed fluids using acoustically monitored separator. The images of oil and CO2 are taken at different pressures during the measurement. Intensity of separation line between CO2/oil has a relationship with the densities of investigated fluids. Evaluation of MMP can be registered for decayed line, when pressure increases. This experimental method of MMP is time-saving and more easily to perform than other experimental methods of evaluation MMP.