A Flue Gas Huff ‘n’ Puff Process for Oil Recovery From Shallow Formations

Abstract

Troutman Oil Co., Inc. of LaCygne, Kansas has developed a low-cost process for recovery of oil from shallow oil formations. The process (named "TWINCO2") relies on immiscible displacement of oil through the injection of flue gas in a cyclic injection program. It was first installed in the LaCygne-Cadmus field located in Linn County, Kansas. The project has been in continuous use since 1979. Oil production rates have stabilized and the project has proven to be cost-effective given its small investment requirements and low operating costs. Flue gas is generated by burning natural gas in an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas is treated and is compressed to around 250 psi for injection into the reservoir. Following injection, the same well is converted to production and the well flows oil, water, and gas into surface separating units. The economics associated with this oil recovery process as reported in the paper have been process as reported in the paper have been updated to reflect 1989 prices and conditions. This analysis assumes that the oil producing wells and related oil production infrastructure are in place. The analyzed project area contained 51 wells in 225 acres. Incremental cost to install a system in 1989 similar in scale to that employed by Troutman Oil is estimated to be approximately $100,000. for the Troutman Oil scale of operations, the operating costs are estimated at $37,400 per year. Cash flow and profitability depend on the level of oil production, posted prices, and net revenue interest in a lease. For example, at a posted price of $20 per barrel and average oil price of $20 per barrel and average oil production of 15 barrels per day, the annual cash flow production of 15 barrels per day, the annual cash flow from the entire project is estimated at $43,000 assuming an 80 percent net revenue interest. This level of cash flow will payback the initial investment in 2.3 years (undiscounted) and yields an internal rate of return of 42 percent over a 10 year project life. Economic parameters are presented in this report which will enable the reader to estimate the economics associated with application of the process at a particular property, including the minimum oil production property, including the minimum oil production required to cover operating costs and repay the initial capital investment. PROJECT LOCATION PROJECT LOCATION The Troutman Oil Company flue gas, oil recovery project is located about 50 miles south of Kansas project is located about 50 miles south of Kansas City, Kansas (see Figure 1). P. 933

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“…Twin Project, Kansas. 88 This project implemented cyclic flue gas injection under immiscible conditions in the LaCygne− Cadmus field. The characteristics of the reservoir are shown in Table 4.…”

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