1887

Abstract

Summary

Words shape our thoughts, influence perceptions, and drive actions. The language we use frames how we interpret experiences and make decisions, shaping realities and guiding industry practices. In the oil industry, one example of this influence is the long-standing “Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Oil Recovery” approach. While this framework has driven field development for decades, the results it yields warrant closer examination.

One major issue is the low recovery rates. Despite technological advancements, secondary recovery methods still leave up to 70% of oil untapped (IEA). With only a 30% recovery rate, it’s clear that current methods demand reevaluation. Why not use all available techniques from the start to improve recovery? Additionally, secondary processes often lead to high water production, which requires energy-intensive management. This reliance on waterflooding, without integrating other techniques upfront, deserves to be questioned by engineers.

Another challenge arises from diminishing returns after water breakthrough. Reservoir heterogeneity can lead to early conformance issues, making it difficult to address problems after water breakthrough occurs. Ignoring these challenges early on not only reduces the effectiveness of subsequent recovery methods but also overlooks the unpredictable nature of reservoirs.

So why does the industry continue to follow this well-worn path despite advancements in knowledge and technology? The answer often comes down to economics and profitability. Financial metrics like discounted cash flow or net present value (NPV) are typically used to gauge success, yet a high NPV doesn’t always align with maximum recovery efficiency and can be energetically inefficient.

In this paper, we will explore recent evidence that supports the benefits of incorporating Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques early in a field’s development, or at least not delaying their implementation. Case studies from Argentina, Alaska, and the Middle East will illustrate the advantages of early chemical EOR adoption, as well as the drawbacks of late deployment. A comparison of secondary versus tertiary polymer flooding implementation by Hilcorp in Milne Point will further demonstrate the clear benefits of this optimal strategy.

© EAGE Publications BV
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202531069
2025-04-02
2026-02-14

  • From This Site

    /content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202531069
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Abirov, Zh., Abirov, R., Mazbayev, Y., Engels, A., Nestyorkin, A., and O.Ivakhnenko. “Case-study of Successful Pilot Polymer Flooding in the South Turgay Basin's Oilfield.” Paper presented at the SPE Annual Caspian Technical Conference & Exhibition, Baku, Azerbaijan, November 2015. https://doi.org/10.2118/177339-MS.
     [Google Scholar]
  2. Aitkulov, A., Edwards, R., Redwine, C., and Cunha, K.2024. Milne Point Field Polymer Flood Update and Further Expansion. Presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, 22–25 April. SPE-218269-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/218269-MS.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Al-Mjeni, R., Arora, S., Cherukupalli, P., Wunnik, J., Edwards, J., Felber, B. J., Gurpinar, O., Hirasaki, G., Miller, C., Jackson, C., Kristensen, M., Lim, F., & Ramamoorthy, R. (2010). “Has the Time Come for EOR?” Oilfield Review, 22(1), 16–35.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Aronofsky, J. S., and Ramey, H. J., Jr. 1956. “Mobility Ratio—Its Influence on Injection or Production Histories in Five-Spot Water Flood.” Journal of Petroleum Technology8 (09): 205–210. SPE-641-G. https://doi.org/10.2118/641-G.
     [Google Scholar]
  5. Bazerman, M. H., & Moore, D. A. (2012). Judgment in Managerial Decision Making
     [Google Scholar]
  6. Brannstrom, C., Ewers, M., and Schwarz, P.2022. Will Peak Talent Arrive Before Peak Oil or Peak Demand? Exploring Whether Career Choices of Highly Skilled Workers Will Accelerate the Transition to Renewable Energy. Presented at the Energy Research & Social Science Conference, Volume 93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2022.102834.
     [Google Scholar]
  7. Delamaide, E., SoeLet, K.Moe, Bhoendie, K., Jong-A-Pin, S., and W. R.Paidin. “Results of a Polymer Flooding Pilot in the Tambaredjo Heavy Oil Field, Suriname.” Paper presented at the SPE Canada Heavy Oil Technical Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 2016. https://doi.org/10.2118/180739-MS.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Delamaide, E.2021. Is Chemical EOR Finally Coming of Age?Presented at the IOR 2021 Conference, April 2021. European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers. https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.202133010.
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Dyes, A. B., Caudle, B. H., and Erickson, R. A.1954. “Oil Production After Breakthrough as Influenced by Mobility Ratio.” Journal of Petroleum Technology6 (04): 27–32. SPE-309-G. https://doi.org/10.2118/309-G.
     [Google Scholar]
  10. Farajzadeh, R., Kahrobaei, S., Eftekhari, A.A. et al.Chemical enhanced oil recovery and the dilemma of more and cleaner energy. Sci Rep11, 829 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80369-z
     [Google Scholar]
  11. Farajzadeh, R.Sustainable production of hydrocarbon fields guided by full-cycle exergy analysis. J. Pet. Sci. Eng.181, 106204 (2019).
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Farajzadeh, R., Zaal, C., van den Hoek, P. & Bruining, J.Life-cycle assessment of water injection into hydrocarbon reservoirs using exergy concept. J. Clean. Prod.235, 812–821 (2019).
     [Google Scholar]
  13. Farajzadeh, R., Wassing, B. L. & Lake, L. W.Insights into design of mobility control for chemical enhanced oil recovery. Energy Rep.5, 570–578 (2019).
     [Google Scholar]
  14. International Energy Agency (IEA). (2018). “Whatever Happened to Enhanced Oil Recovery?” Paris, France. https://www.iea.org/commentaries/whatever-happened-to-enhanced-oil-recovery.
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Johnson, G., Lugo, N., Neal, A., McBeath, J., Farthing, D.2023. Increasing Oil Production Through EOR at the Offshore Captain Field. Presented at the 84th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition, London, UK, 5–8 June. European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers (EAGE).
     [Google Scholar]
  16. JPT: IOR and EOR Terminology Clarifications and Recommendations for the SPE Community: Public Comments Period Open. https://jpt.spe.org/ior-and-eor-terminology-clarifications-and-recommendations-for-the-spe-community-public-comments-period-open
     [Google Scholar]
  17. Juri, J., Ruiz Martinez, A., Pedersen, G., Pagliero, P., Blanco, H., Eguia, V., Vazquez, P., Bernhardt, C., Schein, F., Villarroel, G., and Tosi, A. (2017). “Grimbeek: First Successful Application Polymer Flooding in Multilayer Reservoir at YPF. Consensus Shifting in Field Expansion Strategy.” Paper presented at the SPE Argentina Exploration and Production of Unconventional Resources Symposium. https://doi.org/10.2118/185662-MS.
     [Google Scholar]
  18. Kahneman, D., Slovic, P., & Tversky, A. (1982). Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases.
     [Google Scholar]
  19. Lake, L. W., Johns, R. T., Rossen, W. R., & Pope, G. A.2014. Fundamentals of Enhanced Oil Recovery. Richardson, Texas: Society of Petroleum Engineers. ISBN: 978-1-61399-328-6.
     [Google Scholar]
  20. Lazzarotti, M., Rimoldi, A., Clementi, A., Mawad, M., and M. AbdElrahman. “Belayim Land -Polymer Injection Pilot Project.” Paper presented at the Offshore Mediterranean Conference and Exhibition, Ravenna, Italy, March 2017.
     [Google Scholar]
  21. Muskat, M. (1949). Physical Principles of Oil Production. New York City: McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc.
     [Google Scholar]
  22. Nabzar, L.2011. Water in Fuel Production: Oil Production and Refining. Presented at IFP Énergies nouvelles, Rueil-Malmaison, France.
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD). 2019. Resource Report 2019. Accessed December 2024. https://www.sodir.no/globalassets/1-sodir/publikasjoner/ressursrapport-2019/resource-report-2019.pdf.
     [Google Scholar]
  24. Oil and Gas Authority (OGA). 2018. Recovery Factor Benchmarking Study. Accessed December 2024. https://www.nstauthority.co.uk/media/4182/recovery-factor-report.pdf.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Parra Sanchez, C.2010. A Life Cycle Optimization Approach to Hydrocarbon Recovery. Master's Thesis, The University of Texas at Austin, USA.
     [Google Scholar]
  26. Poulsen, A., Shook, G. M., Jackson, A., Ruby, N., Charvin, K., Dwarakanath, V., Thach, S., and Ellis, M. (2018). Results of the UK Captain Field Interwell EOR Pilot. Presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, 14–18 April. SPE-190175-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/190175-MS.
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Prasad, D., Singh, A. K., Shekhar, S., Kumar, M. S., and Pandey, A. (2022). “Two Decades of Mangala Field Journey - Key Highlights, Learnings and Recommendations.” Paper presented at ADIPEC, Abu Dhabi, UAE, October 2022. https://doi.org/10.2118/211271-MS.
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Seright, R.S., and Wang, D. (2023). Polymer flooding: Status and Future Directions. Petroleum Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petsci.2023.02.002&#8203.
     [Google Scholar]
  29. Seright, R.S, PRRC. http://www.prrc.nmt.edu/groups/res-sweep/
     [Google Scholar]
  30. Sieberer, M., Jamek, K., and Clemens, T. (2017). “Polymer-Flooding Economics, From Pilot to Field Implementation.” SPE Economics & Management, 9, 51–60. https://doi.org/10.2118/179603-PA.
     [Google Scholar]
  31. Skauge, T., Skauge, A., Lugo, N., and Johnson, G.2024. How Polymer Flooding Reduces CO2 Emissions and Energy Consumption – An Exergy Return on Exergy Investment Case Study. Presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, 22–26 April. SPE-218231-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/218231-MS.
     [Google Scholar]
  32. Thomas, A.2019. Essentials of Polymer Flooding Technique. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 9781119537625.
     [Google Scholar]
  33. Vaughan, D.1996. The Challenger Launch Decision: Risky Technology, Culture, and Deviance at NASA. University of Chicago Press.
     [Google Scholar]
  34. Zitha, P. L. J. “Increasing Hydrocarbon Recovery Factors.” SPE International. https://www.spe.org/en/industry/increasing-hydrocarbon-recovery-factors/.
     [Google Scholar]
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202531069
Loading
Breaking the Mold: Reassessing Polymer Flooding and the Outdated ‘Primary, Secondary, Tertiary’ Model
Conference Proceedings 2025, 1 (2025); https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.202531069
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202531069
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202531069
Loading

Data & Media loading...

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error