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Enhanced Oil Recovery in Unconventional Reservoirs
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 81st EAGE Conference and Exhibition 2019, Jun 2019, Volume 2019, p.1 - 5
Abstract
Summary
Unconventional reservoirs have had tremendous success over the last decade due to technical advances including long horizontal wells and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing; however, their potential may be even higher. There are trillions of barrels of oil in these resources, and while wells start out at high rates, they decline quickly and primary recovery factors are low, often in the single digits. This clearly indicates a need for some form of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) for these types of reservoirs.
Efforts to implement EOR in unconventional reservoirs has occurred, and those efforts are examined in detail in this paper. Multiple field trials have occurred in the Eagle Ford and Bakken reservoirs, and we use modelling and decline curve analysis to evaluate the potential success of the pilot projects. The Eagle Ford projects that use huff-n-puff gas injection appear to be technically and economically successful. The Bakken is more uncertain; the field trials there were not successful, but flow modelling shows potential if a better injection strategy is used.
While much has been achieved over the last decade in unconventional reservoirs, implementing EOR in these types of reservoirs may bring about even greater success.
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