Enhanced recovery
The industry clearly needs creative solutions that are affordable and operationally flexible, and the three papers selected for this Technology Focus highlight some innovative approaches that aim to unlock those extra barrels.
This paper details a new enhanced oil recovery method piloted successfully by several operators in the Bakken and recently implemented in the Midland play of the Permian Basin.
The paper presents the design and successful field deployment of the first closed-loop hydraulic fracturing program.
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This paper reviews fracturing-program design, completion technology, real-time data collection, data integration, and lessons learned for the Pikka development on the North Slope of Alaska. -
This paper presents a case study of a tool-free fishbone fracture stimulation technology using sand jetting and acidizing in openhole wells, providing a technical solution for low-permeability and complex-lithology carbonate reservoirs in the Middle East.
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This paper describes the use of encapsulated polymer technology to address the issues of shear degradation and injectivity integrity faced in the application of polymer flooding in an offshore development context.
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The paper describes a project in which extremely challenging stimulations were performed in a fractured tight carbonate in a complex strike/slip stress faulting regime with high tectonic stresses.
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This study provides the first experimental evidence that in-situ combustion is feasible in Permian shale under realistic rock–fluid conditions.
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The works highlighted in this year’s Acidizing feature demonstrate novel, diverse innovations in sustainability, enhanced productivity, and logistical efficiency by authors of SPE conference papers.
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New insights from Chevron, Occidental Petroleum, and others at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference highlight the different paths companies are using to squeeze more out of tight rocks.
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Three experts were recognized with the Pioneer Award at the 2026 SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference in Tulsa for their technological contributions to improved oil recovery.
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Acting director of the new center Ale Hakala outlines the research priorities guiding the newly established center’s focus on production enhancement technologies.
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The authors write that deployment of artificial-intelligence-based high-gas/oil ratio well-control technology enabled stabilization of well performance and maintenance of optimal production conditions.
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