Dimethyl-ether (DME) -enhanced waterflood (DEW) is a process in which DME is added to injection water and, upon injection, preferentially partitions into the remaining oil. As a result, it swells the oil and reduces the oil viscosity, significantly improving oil mobility. Several coreflood experiments conducted in tight-carbonate plugs have shown incremental recoveries of up to 20% post-waterflood. A field trial has been designed to derisk this technology, which, if successful, would add significant reserves.
Introduction
Enhancing oil recovery from low-permeability formations has been challenging.
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