FAWAG: A Breakthrough for EOR in the North Sea

Aarra, Morten Gunnar; Skauge, Arne; Martinsen, H.A.

doi:10.2118/77695-ms

Cited by 50 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Foam is generated by injecting gas and surfactant solution in a surfactant alternating gas (SAG) mode. In the North Sea AOSs (Alpha Olefin Sulfonate) have been successfully used as foaming agents for controlling gas mobility Blaker et al 2002;Aarra et al 2002). Tsau et al (1999) have used surfactant blends to improve gas mobility control in CO 2 flooding.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of blended surfactants to generate stable foam in presence of crude oil for gas mobility control

Memon

Shuker

Elraies

2016

J Petrol Explor Prod Technol

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For controlling the viscous fingering in wateralternating gas injection, addition of foam with formation water is more favorable. Use of foam surfactant is one potential solution for reducing gas mobility. The main objective of this research is to generate stable foam for gas mobility control using surfactant blend formulation. Surfactant blends synergistically exhibit better foaming properties than those of individual surfactants. Surfactant blends improve the foam stability and reduces the destabilizing effect of crude oil. Using foam stabilizers may improve foam stability and apparent viscosity; both of these factors are important for improving gas mobility. Alpha olefin Sulfonate (AOS C14-16 ) was selected as main surfactant, Octylphenol Ethylene Oxide (TX-100) and Lauryl Amido Propyl Amine oxide (LMDO) were selected as additives. Aqueous stability test was performed at 96°C. Foam stability test was performed in the absence and presence of crude oil. The foam stability and longevity was recorded above the liquid level. Liquid drainage and Foam half-life were noted with respect to time. The mobility reduction factor of three formulations was performed with CO 2 by using Berea sandstone cores at 96°C and 1400 psi. Experimental result showed that surfactant blend of 0.6 % AOS ? 0.6 % LMDO was more stable in presence of crude oil and reduced more gas mobility as compared to an individual surfactant of 0.6 % AOS. The maximum generated foam volume and foam half time indicated better performance of the foaming agent. The surfactant blend formulation plays an important role in controlling gas mobility. Strong stability by these formulations indicates that the foam surfactant formulation is of great significance in the field of enhanced oil recovery.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of blended surfactants to generate stable foam in presence of crude oil for gas mobility control

Memon

Shuker

Elraies

2016

J Petrol Explor Prod Technol

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“…The dipping structure of a reservoir can lead to gravity-stable displacement by the injectant, while gravity override often occurs in thick reservoirs. Although a homogeneous reservoir is a better gas EOR target than a heterogeneous reservoir due to gas channeling, heterogeneous cases in Ekofisk (naturally-fractured reservoir) and Snorre field (high-permeability contrast) were successful [33][34][35][36][37]. Therefore, previously-suggested screening criteria of reservoir permeability, which is "homogeneous", was modified to "homogeneous preferred".…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Screening Criteria and Considerations of Offshore Enhanced Oil Recovery

2016

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Abstract:The application of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in offshore oil fields has received significant attention due to the potentially enormous amount of recoverable oil. However, EOR application offshore is in its very early stage due to conditions that are more complex than onshore oil fields, owing to the unique parameters present offshore. Therefore, successful EOR applications in offshore oil fields require different screening criteria than those for conventional onshore applications. A comprehensive database for onshore applications of EOR processes together with a limited offshore EOR application database are analyzed in this paper, and the important parameters for successful offshore application are incorporated into the new EOR screening criteria. In this paper, screening criteria to determine acceptable EOR processes for offshore fields, including hydrocarbon gas miscible, CO 2 miscible, and polymer processes, are presented. Suggested screening criteria for these EOR processes comprise quantitative boundaries and qualitative considerations. Quantitative screening criteria are predominantly based on quantifiable data, such as oil and reservoir properties. Qualitative screening considerations mainly focus on the operational issues present offshore, including platform space constraints, limited disposal options, injectant availability, and flow assurance matters (including hydrate formation and difficulties in emulsion separation).

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“…Thus, the foam improves the sweep efficiency during gas injection while reducing the gas oil ratio (GOR) and maximising production rate in the producer well (Tunio et al 2012;Liu et al 2011). AOS surfactant was used to create the foam (Aarra et al 2002). AOS surfactants are very good foaming agents and can significantly reduce gas mobility.…”

Section: Foam and Water Alternating Gas (Fawag) Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of gas enhanced oil recovery schemes used in the North Sea

Gbadamosi

Kiwalabye

Junin

et al. 2018

J Petrol Explor Prod Technol

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The rate of replacement of produced oil and gas reserves by new discoveries is in a state of steady decline. Instead of searching for rare new oil fields, it is more economically justified to improve production from the existing and known fields. This is often achieved using enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies. The application of EOR in the North Sea dates to the mid-1970's with most of the fields being flooded with gas due to their light oils. Following a critical review of relevant published literature, the EOR methods in the past five decades are: water alternating gas (WAG), miscible gas injection (MGI), foam assisted water alternating gas (FAWAG), simultaneous water and gas (SWAG), and microbial enhanced oil recovery. The first part of this paper explores the advantages and limitations of the field implementation of gas EOR methods in North Sea oil fields. In the second part, new screening criteria of WAG, SWAG, MGI and FAWAG were developed by performing statistical analysis of the data from the past field experiences, especially in the North Sea. The screening criteria of the future methods are clearly documented in the literature and therefore not covered in this study. From the screening criteria, it has been identified that most North Sea fields qualify for WAG. This explains why WAG has been the most common scheme in the North Sea. FAWAG should also be implemented either after WAG or SWAG when the residual oil saturation is < 20%.

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FAWAG: A Breakthrough for EOR in the North Sea

Cited by 50 publications

References 10 publications

Study of blended surfactants to generate stable foam in presence of crude oil for gas mobility control

Study of blended surfactants to generate stable foam in presence of crude oil for gas mobility control

Screening Criteria and Considerations of Offshore Enhanced Oil Recovery

A review of gas enhanced oil recovery schemes used in the North Sea

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