Introduction to Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Processes

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards from the Introduction to Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Processes lecture notes.

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)

Processes that increase the amount of crude oil that can be extracted from an oil reservoir, beyond what is achievable with primary and secondary recovery methods.

Primary Recovery

The initial stage of oil production that uses natural energy present in the reservoir to displace oil to the surface.

Secondary Recovery

The method of oil extraction that involves augmenting natural reservoir energy by injecting water or gas to displace oil toward production wells.

Tertiary Recovery

Recovery methods that are implemented after secondary recovery, often using miscible gases, chemicals, or thermal energy.

Miscible Processes

EOR methods that use fluids that can mix completely with oil at all proportions, enhancing oil recovery efficiency.

Mobility-Control Processes

Techniques aimed at maintaining favorable mobility ratios to improve the efficacy of oil displacement in the reservoir.

Thermal Processes

EOR methods that involve the injection of thermal energy or in-situ generation of heat to reduce oil viscosity for recovery.

Waterflooding

A common secondary recovery process where water is injected into the reservoir to drive oil toward production wells.

Chemical Processes

EOR methods that utilize specific chemicals to reduce interfacial tension and displace oil through phase behavior modifications.

Overall Displacement Efficiency (E)

The ratio of the amount of oil recovered to the total volume of oil originally in place at the start of the recovery process.

Residual Oil Saturation (Sor)

The amount of oil that remains in the reservoir after a recovery attempt has been made.

Alkaline Flooding

A chemical flooding method that involves injecting alkaline agents into the reservoir to create in-situ surfactant and enhance oil recovery.

Cyclic Steam Stimulation

A thermal EOR method involving periodic injection of steam into a well followed by a soak period before production.

Water-Alternating-Gas (WAG) Process

A method combining water and gas injections in EOR to improve oil recovery by controlling mobility.

Proven Reserves

The quantity of oil that can be recovered using current technology under economic conditions, includes oils feasible for EOR.

In-situ Combustion

A thermal process that creates heat through combustion within the reservoir itself to recover oil.

Screening Criteria

General technical guidelines determining the applicability of various EOR processes based on reservoir and oil properties.