Maturing a CO2-EOR Opportunity from Initial Screening to Field Testing - A Case Study

Abstract Immiscible WAG (IWAG) processes, although proven quite useful in maintaining pressure in low permeability reservoirs, has the inherent drawback of leaving high residual oil saturation (Sor) behind the flood front. Often, dependent on the reservoir characteristics, the oil volume which is left behind by a secondary IWAG process can be of significant value and requires investigating tertiary EOR processes that could economically produce it. This case study discusses the approach taken to mature an EOR opportunity in a giant onshore carbonate reservoir currently being developed with IWAG injection. A plan was put in place to assess the suitability of prospective EOR processes in the subject reservoir. This commenced with a detailed PVT lab study which involved specially designed EOR tests such as swelling, slimtube, forward contact, backward contact, equiphase and asphaltene deposition. The experimental data was used to develop an equation of state model (EOS) that is able to describe the reservoir fluid behavior. Next, analytical methods were used to screen out the EOR processes found most promising. The EOR processes were screened based on the performance indicators estimated using classical reservoir engineering techniques, empirical methods, experience and judgment. The favourable results for the CO2 injection, both from the PVT experiments and the analytical screening led to the design of 1D coreflood experiments on composite cores at full reservoir conditions. Comparison of the different displacement tests showed CO2-WAG to be highly efficient recovery mechanism with 93% of the HCPV recovery potential. The PVT experiments and the coreflood injection tests, within their experimental limitations provided recovery profiles and CO2 injection characteristics to validate model predictions on a microscopic scale, and thus enhanced confidence in full field development studies based on the underlying reservoir simulation models. The proposed CO2-EOR strategy will help reduce the Sor significantly and hence improve Ultimate Recovery (UR). A field pilot is being considered to evaluate the CO2 injection recovery process optimally.