Enhanced recovery
Entrepreneurial mindsets with the motivation to explore new materials, not limited to focusing on traditional hydrocarbon gas, CO2, and chemicals such as polymer and surfactant, are becoming more important for broadening prospects beyond the conventional EOR scene.
This paper discusses a comprehensive hybrid approach that combines machine learning with a physics-based risk-prediction model to detect and prevent the formation of hydrates in flowlines and separators.
The objective of this microfluidic investigation is to identify and test two novel applications for magnetic fluids in porous media for subsurface oilfield applications.
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This study introduces a detailed model to capture the physics and chemistry of acid flow in complex horizontal wells completed in carbonate formations. -
The authors of this paper describe a project in which far-field diverters were pumped to mitigate wellbore sanding and production loss in existing parent wells.
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This paper describes the application of an underbalanced coiled tubing technology in tight sandstones, using an integrative approach that incorporates petrophysical, geophysical, and reservoir engineering data.
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The EOR scene has evolved as well. Low-salinity waterflooding, originally thought to apply only in certain sandstone reservoirs, appears to be able to unlock additional reserves also for some carbonate formations, although the fundamental mechanisms are different.
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Engineers desperately need an alternative to acid placement through pipe, coiled tubing, or bullheading. For example, propellants have been around for years; however, their performance has not quite met the hype. Nevertheless, several case histories have been authored to suggest their efficacy; historically, some treatments have even been wildly successful.
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This paper presents the design and development of a prototype intelligent water-injection and smart allocation tool aimed at achieving autonomous waterflood operations.
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Traditional oil extraction methods hit a snag in noncontiguous fields, where conventional flow-based EOR techniques falter. In southwest Texas, a producer faced imminent shutdown of its canyon sand field due to rapid production decline. Field tests using elastic-wave EOR determined whether the field could be revitalized or if a costly shut-in process was inevitable.
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Oil production from thin-oil-rim fields can be a challenge considering early gas breakthrough and high gas/oil ratio. This study evaluates the performance of autonomous inflow control valves (in comparison with inflow control devices and sand screens) and their effectiveness in improved oil recovery in such fields.
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This paper describes the potential, challenges, and opportunities of using a modified steam-assisted gravity drainage configuration in the Mukhaizna heavy oil field in suboptimal operating conditions.
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This study aims at understanding the effect of a surfactant known as a high-temperature emulsifying agent as an additive to the steam-assisted gravity drainage process and the possibility of forming oil-in-water emulsions.
