Phase Behavior, Solid Organic Precipitation, and Mobility Characterization Studies in Support of Enhanced Heavy Oil Recovery on the Alaska North Slope

Phase Behavior, Solid Organic Precipitation, and Mobility Characterization Studies in Support of Enhanced Heavy Oil Recovery on the Alaska North Slope PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The medium-heavy oil (viscous oil) resources in the Alaska North Slope are estimated at 20 to 25 billion barrels. These oils are viscous, flow sluggishly in the formations, and are difficult to recover. Recovery of this viscous oil requires carefully designed enhanced oil recovery processes. Success of these recovery processes is critically dependent on accurate knowledge of the phase behavior and fluid properties, especially viscosity, of these oils under variety of pressure and temperature conditions. This project focused on predicting phase behavior and viscosity of viscous oils using equations of state and semi-empirical correlations. An experimental study was conducted to quantify the phase behavior and physical properties of viscous oils from the Alaska North Slope oil field. The oil samples were compositionally characterized by the simulated distillation technique. Constant composition expansion and differential liberation tests were conducted on viscous oil samples. Experiment results for phase behavior and reservoir fluid properties were used to tune the Peng-Robinson equation of state and predict the phase behavior accurately. A comprehensive literature search was carried out to compile available compositional viscosity models and their modifications, for application to heavy or viscous oils. With the help of meticulously amassed new medium-heavy oil viscosity data from experiments, a comparative study was conducted to evaluate the potential of various models. The widely used corresponding state viscosity model predictions deteriorate when applied to heavy oil systems. Hence, a semi-empirical approach (the Lindeloff model) was adopted for modeling the viscosity behavior. Based on the analysis, appropriate adjustments have been suggested: the major one is the division of the pressure-viscosity profile into three distinct regions. New modifications have improved the overall fit, including the saturated viscosities at low pressures. However, with the limited amount of geographically diverse data, it is not possible to develop a comprehensive predictive model. Based on the comprehensive phase behavior analysis of Alaska North Slope crude oil, a reservoir simulation study was carried out to evaluate the performance of a gas injection enhanced oil recovery technique for the West Sak reservoir. It was found that a definite increase in viscous oil production can be obtained by selecting the proper injectant gas and by optimizing reservoir operating parameters. A comparative analysis is provided, which helps in the decision-making process.

Phase Behavior, Solid Organic Precipitation, and Mobility Characterization Studies in Support of Enhanced Heavy Oil Recovery on the Alaska North Slope

Phase Behavior, Solid Organic Precipitation, and Mobility Characterization Studies in Support of Enhanced Heavy Oil Recovery on the Alaska North Slope PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The medium-heavy oil (viscous oil) resources in the Alaska North Slope are estimated at 20 to 25 billion barrels. These oils are viscous, flow sluggishly in the formations, and are difficult to recover. Recovery of this viscous oil requires carefully designed enhanced oil recovery processes. Success of these recovery processes is critically dependent on accurate knowledge of the phase behavior and fluid properties, especially viscosity, of these oils under variety of pressure and temperature conditions. This project focused on predicting phase behavior and viscosity of viscous oils using equations of state and semi-empirical correlations. An experimental study was conducted to quantify the phase behavior and physical properties of viscous oils from the Alaska North Slope oil field. The oil samples were compositionally characterized by the simulated distillation technique. Constant composition expansion and differential liberation tests were conducted on viscous oil samples. Experiment results for phase behavior and reservoir fluid properties were used to tune the Peng-Robinson equation of state and predict the phase behavior accurately. A comprehensive literature search was carried out to compile available compositional viscosity models and their modifications, for application to heavy or viscous oils. With the help of meticulously amassed new medium-heavy oil viscosity data from experiments, a comparative study was conducted to evaluate the potential of various models. The widely used corresponding state viscosity model predictions deteriorate when applied to heavy oil systems. Hence, a semi-empirical approach (the Lindeloff model) was adopted for modeling the viscosity behavior. Based on the analysis, appropriate adjustments have been suggested: the major one is the division of the pressure-viscosity profile into three distinct regions. New modifications have improved the overall fit, including the saturated viscosities at low pressures. However, with the limited amount of geographically diverse data, it is not possible to develop a comprehensive predictive model. Based on the comprehensive phase behavior analysis of Alaska North Slope crude oil, a reservoir simulation study was carried out to evaluate the performance of a gas injection enhanced oil recovery technique for the West Sak reservoir. It was found that a definite increase in viscous oil production can be obtained by selecting the proper injectant gas and by optimizing reservoir operating parameters. A comparative analysis is provided, which helps in the decision-making process.

CO2-Reservoir Oil Miscibility

CO2-Reservoir Oil Miscibility PDF Author: Dayanand Saini
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319955462
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 115

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Book Description
This SpringerBrief critically examines the latest experimental and non-experimental approaches used for the fast and reliable characterization and determination of CO2-reservoir oil miscibility in terms of the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP). This book serves as a one-stop source for developing an enhanced understanding of these available methods, and specifically documents, analyses, and evaluates their suitability and robustness for depicting and characterizing the phenomenon of CO2-reservoir oil miscibility in a fast and cost-effective manner. Such information can greatly assist a project team in selecting an appropriate MMP determination method as per the project’s need at a given project’s stage, be that screening, design, or implementation. CO2-Reservoir Oil Miscibility: Experiential and Non-Experimental Characterization and Determination Approaches will be of interest to petroleum science and engineering professionals, researchers, and undergraduate and graduate students engaged in CO2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and/or simultaneous CO2-EOR and storage projects and related research. It may also be of interest to engineering and management professionals within the petroleum industry who have responsibility for implementing CO2-EOR projects.

Investigation of Phase Behavior and Reservoir Fluid Properties in Support of Enhanced Oil Recovery of Alaska North Slope (ANS) Viscous Oils

Investigation of Phase Behavior and Reservoir Fluid Properties in Support of Enhanced Oil Recovery of Alaska North Slope (ANS) Viscous Oils PDF Author: Kaustubh D. Alurkar
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Enhanced oil recovery
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
"Declining light oil production on Alaska North Slope (ANS) has attracted oil producers to develop viscous oil resources of ANS that range between 20 to 25 billion barrels. These oils are viscous, flow sluggishly in the formations, and are difficult to transport through unconsolidated formations and are hard to produce by conventional methods. Viscous oil recovery entails neatly designed enhanced oil recovery processes and the success of these processes is critically dependent on accurate knowledge of phase behavior and fluid properties of these oils under variety of pressure and temperature conditions. An experimental study was conducted to quantify the phase behavior and physical properties of viscous oils from ANS. The oil samples were compositionally characterized by simulated distillation technique, constant composition expansion and differential liberation tests were conducted on these samples. Experimentally studied phase behavior and reservoir fluid properties were modeled by using the Peng-Robinson Equation-of-State (EOS). The Peng-Robinson EOS was tuned with experimental data to predict the phase behavior, accurately. Widely used corresponding state viscosity model predictions deteriorate when applied to heavy oil systems due to use of ultra-light methane as a reference compound. Therefore, a semi empirical approach (Lindeloff model) was adopted for modeling the viscosity behavior. Viscosity behavior of degassed ANS viscous oils was correlated to their temperature and molecular weight. Integration of this correlation into the Lindeloff model resulted in accurate viscosity predictions for viscous oils under reservoir conditions"--Leaf iii.

Analysis of Phase Behavior and Reservoir Fluid Properties in Support of Wax Deposition Study of Alaska North Slope (ANS) Crude Oils

Analysis of Phase Behavior and Reservoir Fluid Properties in Support of Wax Deposition Study of Alaska North Slope (ANS) Crude Oils PDF Author: Vijay Balwant Kulkarni
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Oil reservoir engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Book Description
"An experimental study was conducted to quantify the phase behavior and physical properties of Alaskan North Slope stock tank and live crude oils. Measurement of molecular weight, gas-oil ratio, and constant composition expansion and differential liberation tests were conducted on these samples. Phase behavior and reservoir fluid properties of the live oil samples were modeled using the Peng-Robinson Equation-of-State (EOS). The Peng-Robinson EOS was tuned with experimental data to predict the phase behavior accurately. The results of the modeling yielded a satisfactory match with measured saturation pressure and solution gas-oil ratio. This tuned EOS can be incorporated into the compositional reservoir simulator for field scale simulations of Alaska North Slope. The phase envelope obtained from this tuned PR-EOS when combined with wax phase envelope can help to design the production PT pathway. The measured gas-oil ratio of the bottomhole samples was compared to the crude oil composition and showed that higher the composition of C5-C10 in crude oil, greater is the gas-oil ratio"--Leaf iii.

Experimental Investigation of Low Salinity Enhanced Oil Recovery Potential and Wettability Characterization of Alaska North Slope Cores

Experimental Investigation of Low Salinity Enhanced Oil Recovery Potential and Wettability Characterization of Alaska North Slope Cores PDF Author: Shivkumar B. Patil
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Enhanced oil recovery
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Book Description
"Rock wettability and the chemical properties of the injection water influence fluid distribution and multiphase fluid flow behavior in petroleum reservoirs and hence it consequently affects the final residual oil saturation. Many researchers have proven that oil recovery is increased by decreasing the salinity of water used for waterflooding process. Three sets of experiments were conducted on representative Alaska North Slope (ANS) core samples to experimentally ascertain the influence of injected brine/fluid composition on wettability and hence on oil recovery in secondary oil recovery mode. All the sets of experiments examined the effect of brine salinity variation on wettability and residual oil saturation of representative core samples. The core samples used in the first and third set were new (clean) while in the second set core samples were oil aged. For first and second sets laboratory reconstituted 22,000 TDS, 11,000 TDS and 5,500 IDS (total dissolved solids) brines were used while for the third set ANS lake water was used. Oil aging of core decreased the water wetting state of cores slightly. This observation could be attributed to adsorption of polar compounds of crude oil. The general trend observed in all the coreflood experiment was reduction in Sor (up to 20%) and slight increase in the Amott-Harvey Wettability Index with decrease in salinity of the injected brine at reservoir temperature"--Leaf iii.

Alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) Flooding - Potential and Simulation for Alaskan North Slope Reservoir

Alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) Flooding - Potential and Simulation for Alaskan North Slope Reservoir PDF Author: Tejas S. Ghorpade
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Enhanced oil recovery
Languages : en
Pages : 148

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Book Description
Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is essential to recover bypassed oil and improve recovery factor. Alkaline-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding is a chemical EOR method that can be used to recover heavy oil containing organic acids from sandstone formations. It involves injection of alkali to generate in situ surfactants, improve sweep efficiency, and reduce interfacial tension (IFT) between displacing and displaced phase, and injection of a polymer to improve mobility ratio; typically, it is followed by extended waterflooding. The concentration of alkali, surfactant, and polymer used in the process depends on oil type, salinity of solution, pressure, temperature of the reservoir, and injection water quality. This project evaluates the effect of waterflooding on recovery, calculates the recovery factor for ASP flooding, and optimum concentration of alkali, surfactant, and polymer for an Alaskan reservoir. Also, the effects of waterflooding and improvement with ASP flooding are evaluated and compared. Studies of these effects on oil recovery were analyzed with a Computer Modeling Group (CMG)-generated model for the Alaskan North Slope (ANS) reservoir. Based on a literature review and screening criteria, the Western North Slope (WNS) 1 reservoir was selected for the ASP process. A CMG - WinProp simulator was used to create a fluid model and regression was carried out with the help of actual field data. The CMG - WinProp model was prepared with a 5 spot well injection pattern using the CMG STARS simulator. Simulation runs conducted for primary and waterflooding processes showed that the recovery factor increased from 3% due to primary recovery to 45% due to waterflooding at 500 psi drawdown for 60 years with a constant producing gas oil ratio (GOR). ASP flooding was conducted to increase recovery further, and optimum ASP parameters were calculated for maximum recovery. Also, effect of alkali, surfactant and polymer on recovery was observed and compared with ASP flood. If proved effective, the use of ASP chemicals for ANS reservoirs to increase the recovery factor could replace current miscible gas injection with chemical EOR. It will help to develop chemical flooding processes for heavier crude oil produced in harsh environments and create new horizons for chemical industries in Alaska.

Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery

Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery PDF Author: Patrizio Raffa
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
ISBN: 3110640430
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 277

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Book Description
This book aims at presenting, describing, and summarizing the latest advances in polymer flooding regarding the chemical synthesis of the EOR agents and the numerical simulation of compositional models in porous media, including a description of the possible applications of nanotechnology acting as a booster of traditional chemical EOR processes. A large part of the world economy depends nowadays on non-renewable energy sources, most of them of fossil origin. Though the search for and the development of newer, greener, and more sustainable sources have been going on for the last decades, humanity is still fossil-fuel dependent. Primary and secondary oil recovery techniques merely produce up to a half of the Original Oil In Place. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) processes are aimed at further increasing this value. Among these, chemical EOR techniques (including polymer flooding) present a great potential in low- and medium-viscosity oilfields. • Describes recent advances in chemical enhanced oil recovery. • Contains detailed description of polymer flooding and nanotechnology as promising boosting tools for EOR. • Includes both experimental and theoretical studies. About the Authors Patrizio Raffa is Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen. He focuses on design and synthesis of new polymeric materials optimized for industrial applications such as EOR, coatings and smart materials. He (co)authored about 40 articles in peer reviewed journals. Pablo Druetta works as lecturer at the University of Groningen (RUG) and as engineering consultant. He received his Ph.D. from RUG in 2018 and has been teaching at a graduate level for 15 years. His research focus lies on computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

Technical and Economic Evaluation of the First Ever Polymer Flood Field Pilot to Enhance the Recovery of Heavy Oils on Alaska's North Slope Via Machine Assisted Reservoir Simulation

Technical and Economic Evaluation of the First Ever Polymer Flood Field Pilot to Enhance the Recovery of Heavy Oils on Alaska's North Slope Via Machine Assisted Reservoir Simulation PDF Author: Cody D. Keith
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Enhanced oil recovery
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Book Description
Polymer flooding has become globally established as a potential enhanced oil recovery method for heavy oils. To determine whether this technology may be useful in developing the substantial heavy oil resources on the Alaska North Slope, a polymer flood field pilot commenced at the Milne Point Unit in August 2018. This study seeks to evaluate the results of the field pilot on a technical and economic basis. A reservoir simulation model is constructed and calibrated to predict the oil recovery performance of the pilot through machine-assisted reservoir simulation techniques. To replicate the early water breakthrough observed during waterflooding, transmissibility contrasts are introduced into the simulation model, forcing viscous fingering effects. In the ensuing polymer flood, these transmissibility contrasts are reduced to replicate the restoration of injection conformance during polymer flooding. Transmissibility contrasts are later reinstated to replicate fracture overextension interpreted in one of the producing wells. The calibrated simulation models produced at each stage of the history matching process are used to forecast oil recovery. These forecasts are used as input for economic analysis, incremental to waterflooding expectations. The simulation forecasts indicate that polymer flooding significantly increases the heavy oil production for this field pilot compared to waterflooding alone, yielding attractive project economics. However, meaningful variations between simulation scenarios demonstrate that a simulation model is only valid for prediction if flow behavior in the reservoir remains consistent with that observed during the history matched period. Critically, this means that a simulation model calibrated for waterflooding may not fully capture the technical and economic benefits of an enhanced oil recovery process such as polymer flooding. Subsequently, the simulation model and economic model are used in conjunction to conduct a sensitivity analysis for polymer flood design parameters, from which recommendations are provided for both the continued operation of the current field pilot and future polymer flood designs. The results demonstrate that a higher polymer concentration can be injected due to the development of fractures in the reservoir. The throughput rate should remain high without exceeding operating constraints. A calculated point-forward polymer utilization parameter demonstrates the decreasing efficiency of the polymer flood at later times in the pattern life. Future projects will benefit from starting polymer injection earlier in the pattern life. A pattern with tighter horizontal well spacing will observe a greater incremental benefit from polymer flooding.

Processing of Heavy Crude Oils

Processing of Heavy Crude Oils PDF Author: Ramasamy Marappa Gounder
Publisher:
ISBN: 1839684097
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 274

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Book Description


Oil in the Sea III

Oil in the Sea III PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309084385
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Book Description
Since the early 1970s, experts have recognized that petroleum pollutants were being discharged in marine waters worldwide, from oil spills, vessel operations, and land-based sources. Public attention to oil spills has forced improvements. Still, a considerable amount of oil is discharged yearly into sensitive coastal environments. Oil in the Sea provides the best available estimate of oil pollutant discharge into marine waters, including an evaluation of the methods for assessing petroleum load and a discussion about the concerns these loads represent. Featuring close-up looks at the Exxon Valdez spill and other notable events, the book identifies important research questions and makes recommendations for better analysis ofâ€"and more effective measures againstâ€"pollutant discharge. The book discusses: Inputâ€"where the discharges come from, including the role of two-stroke engines used on recreational craft. Behavior or fateâ€"how oil is affected by processes such as evaporation as it moves through the marine environment. Effectsâ€"what we know about the effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on marine organisms and ecosystems. Providing a needed update on a problem of international importance, this book will be of interest to energy policy makers, industry officials and managers, engineers and researchers, and advocates for the marine environment.