Lost Soldier Tensleep CO2 Tertiary Project, Performance Case History; Bairoil, Wyoming

Abstract

Abstract The Lost Soldier Tensleep field tertiary performance has a noteworthy case history that demonstrates how an incremental 13% of original oil in place will be recovered from this sandstone reservoir using carbon dioxide. Located in south central Wyoming, the Lost Soldier Tensleep has been under carbon dioxide (C02) injection since 1989. From 1989 through 1995, a 61% hydrocarbon pore volume (HCPV) slug of C02 was injected into the reservoir to recover an incremental 13.6 million barrels of tertiary oil. Prior to C02 injection, the reservoir was producing 2,500 bopd at a 97% watercut. Within one year, oil production exceeded 10,000 bopd and is currently 6,000 bopd. Since its start-up in 1989 with 47 producers and 40 injectors, the subject flood has used a water-altemating-gas (WAG) method and line drive pattern to process approximately 840 acres of reservoir. Illustrations of actual WAG injection cycles and resultant offset production response are included in this case history. The Lost Soldier flood has been so successful that one producing well had an incremental rate of 1700 bopd, carrying the unique distinction of having the highest peak incremental C02 response that the authors could find documented in U.S. literature. Information contained in this paper provides observations and conclusions about field performance optimization as well as reservoir management philosophy. Several actions were completed during the early to mid-1990's to maximize recovery and profitability. These included maintaining miscible reservoir pressure, increasing natural gas liquid recovery, converting to sour reinjection, and exploiting downdip oil potential.