The Lessons Learned From Miscible Gas Flooding in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs: Integrated Studies, and Pilot and Field Cases

Abstract

Suitable methods have to be employed for secondary and tertiary oil recovery from the naturally fractured reservoirs (NFRs). The miscible gas injection has shown some promising results for enhancing oil recovery from NFRs. However, proper design of the field-scale miscible gas injection projects in NFRs is still a major challenge. The authors evaluate the technical issues of the miscible gas injection in NFRs. The classification of NFRs and their production characteristics, the mechanisms of oil production in NFRs, and significant findings of integrated studies, pilot and field trials, and commercial field projects of the miscible gas injection in NFRs are reviewed. Finally, important issues are identified, which need detailed investigations for the design and performance assessment of the field projects. It is hoped that this paper will serve as a helpful reference for the engineers interested in miscible gas injection process in NFRs.