Economic Evaluation of Enhanced Oil Recovery

Zekri, Abdulrazag Y.; Jerbi, Khalid K.; El-Honi, Mohamed

doi:10.2118/64727-ms

Cited by 4 publications

References 2 publications

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Energetics and Structural Behavior of Asphaltene Molecules near Mica Surface: Molecular Simulation Study

2020

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The deposition of high asphaltene-containing crude oil on mineral surfaces and pipelines is a technical as well as an economic problem in the oil industry. In enhanced oil recovery techniques, additives and emulsifiers are used to detach oil from the mineral surface. It requires detailed knowledge of the type of interaction taking place at the molecular level between the rock surface and the crude oil to target the most dominant interacting part for site-specific design of emulsifiers. In this work, we have studied energetics of saturate and asphaltene molecules of crude oil with mica mineral surfaces in the presence of dodecane solvent using molecular dynamics simulations. Five different types of asphaltene molecules (three island type and two archipelago type) containing one heteroatom (oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur) were considered in this study. We have calculated the potential of mean force using an umbrella sampling technique. The adsorption free energy of saturate molecules is significantly lower compared to asphaltene molecules because of the presence of the heteroatom. Asphaltene molecules with a polar heteroatom (oxygen and nitrogen) interact with mica surface strongly as compared to asphaltene molecules with a nonpolar heteroatom (sulfur). The structural behavior of asphaltene molecules at the mica–oil interface is governed by the balance of enthalpic interactions between aromatic core atoms and the steric hindrance of aliphatic chain atoms with the mica surface. Asphaltene molecules with smaller aliphatic chains are arranged parallel to the mica surface. In contrast, those molecules which have more and bigger aliphatic chains were found to have their aromatic core tilted to the mica surface. This detailed information would be useful for designing better additives to displace heavy and residual oil from the rock surface.

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Energetics and Structural Behavior of Asphaltene Molecules near Mica Surface: Molecular Simulation Study

2020

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EOR vs. Infill Well Drilling: Sensitivity to Operational and Economic Parameters.

Alusta¹,

Mackay²,

Fennema³

et al. 2012

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In a previous publication we introduced a methodology to assist in choosing between Enhanced Oil recovery (EOR) and infill well drilling (SPE 143300). Operating companies are often reluctant to use EOR techniques when they have the option of infill well drilling instead. Reasons for this include how operating companies assess and manage risk and uncertainties. The methodology developed includes performing reservoir calculations to evaluate additional recovery using both techniques, and then using data generated as input to economic analysis. In the previous work, polymer flooding for 10 years after two years of waterflooding was studied using a synthetic reservoir model. The technique involved running a range of reservoir simulation scenarios to test possible recovery outcomes; these outcomes then provide input data that will be used in the probabilistic economic evaluation tool to be introduced as a follow up in this paper. This current paper presents the results of the impact of operational factors, such as delaying the start of polymer flooding. This involves assessing the best possible timing for polymer injection to achieve optimal economics. This type of assessment is possible because the economic model developed and presented here allows input from multiple reservoir simulation sensitivity calculations. Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) is then performed to establish confidence in the method, and test economic uncertainties and the risks associated with implementation of polymer flooding. Defining variables with a probability distribution can establish more precisely the economic value of the polymer flooding project. The analysis of uncertainty involves measuring the degree to which input contributes to uncertainty in the output. MCS is a statistics based analysis tool that yields probability impact on Net Present Value (NPV) of the key operational parameters included in the project (oil, water and polymer production and injection costs, polymer concentration, timing, etc.) and various economic factors (oil price, polymer cost, etc).

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A Discussion of Different Approaches for Managing the Timing of EOR Projects

et al. 2013

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Studies indicate that as much as 60% of the initial oil-in-place may remain after secondary recovery. At the same time, Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods are growing more cost effective, with 3% of current worldwide production now attributable to EOR. EOR projects, however, are strongly influenced by economics and long-run crude oil prices. In addition, EOR investment decisions are also heavily impacted by the timing of the switch from primary recovery to water flooding, and then later, the timing of the switch from water flooding to tertiary oil recovery. The question is what are the key approaches and decision parameters that drive the timing of these decisions? Do you design for EOR up front during concept development planning or do you wait and address EOR as a field matures? This paper will discuss the trade-offs between adopting two distinctly different approaches for making EOR switching decisions, designing EOR up front vs. implementation as the field matures. One approach embraces proactively designing for and executing EOR during the initial development of a field. The other approach bases switching decisions on the conditional indicators of the reservoir, coupled with a view toward the long-run oil price. This paper will also explore the key decision parameters that impact the choice of which EOR approach to pursue.

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Economic Evaluation of Enhanced Oil Recovery

Cited by 4 publications

References 2 publications

Energetics and Structural Behavior of Asphaltene Molecules near Mica Surface: Molecular Simulation Study

Energetics and Structural Behavior of Asphaltene Molecules near Mica Surface: Molecular Simulation Study

EOR vs. Infill Well Drilling: Sensitivity to Operational and Economic Parameters.

A Discussion of Different Approaches for Managing the Timing of EOR Projects

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