Rapid evaluation model for EOR techniques applicability of gas flooding, foam flooding and surfactant flooding based on modified fractional flow theory

Abstract

Abstract Before a wide range of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques were implemented for an oilfield, the EOR potential and economic evaluation of the techniques should be evaluated in advance for each reservoir to determine which EOR technique was proper. In an oilfield developed with fluvial delta reservoirs, the complicated distribution of scattered small reservoirs in vertical and horizontal directions brought trouble for evaluation work. A rapid and reliable evaluation model for EOR techniques applicability was necessary to deal with the evaluation simulation for many small reservoirs of an oilfield. Combining fraction theory model with auxiliary equations, which describe the effect of formation heterogeneity and mechanism of different EOR technique on fractional flow rate, an evaluation analysis method for EOR techniques applicability of gas flooding, foam flooding and surfactant flooding was proposed. In the gas flooding model, the minimum miscible pressure of impure gas was introduced, and the relative permeability was modified by the minimum miscible factor. In the foam flooding model, changes in the mobility ratio and chemical adsorption were considered and a reduction factor of mobility ratio was introduced. In the surfactant flooding model, calculation formulas of viscosity and interfacial tension as well as the relative permeability were introduced. Finally, the model was simulated for a low permeability reservoir, and the simulation results were compared with that from Eclipse software. The similar results, little calculation time and feasibility of predicting optimal injection parameter had shown the reliability of the rapid evaluation model.

Keywords

• Rapid evaluation model
• Enhanced oil recovery
• Fraction theory
• Gas flooding
• Foam flooding
• Surfactant flooding