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Performance Quantification of Enhanced Oil Recovery Methods in Fractured Reservoirs

Author

Listed:
  • Riyaz Kharrat

    (Department Petroleum Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben, 8700 Leoben, Austria)

  • Mehdi Zallaghi

    (Petroleum Research Center, Petroleum University of Technology, Tehran 14539-63341, Iran)

  • Holger Ott

    (Department Petroleum Engineering, Montanuniversität Leoben, 8700 Leoben, Austria)

Abstract

The enhanced oil recovery mechanisms in fractured reservoirs are complex and not fully understood. It is technically challenging to quantify the related driving forces and their interaction in the matrix and fractures medium. Gravity and capillary forces play a leading role in the recovery process of fractured reservoirs. This study aims to quantify the performance of EOR methods in fractured reservoirs using dimensionless numbers. A systematic approach consisting of the design of experiments, simulations, and proxy-based optimization was used in this work. The effect of driving forces on oil recovery for water injection and several EOR processes such as gas injection, foam injection, water-alternating gas (WAG) injection, and foam-assisted water-alternating gas (FAWAG) injection was analyzed using dimensionless numbers and a surface response model. The results show that equilibrium between gravitational and viscous forces in fracture and capillary and gravity forces in matrix blocks determines oil recovery performance during EOR in fractured reservoirs. When capillary forces are dominant in gas injection, fluid exchange between fracture and matrix is low; consequently, the oil recovery is low. In foam-assisted water-alternating gas injection, gravity and capillary forces are in equilibrium conditions as several mechanisms are involved. The capillary forces dominate the water cycle, while gravitational forces govern the gas cycle due to the foam enhancement properties, which results in the highest oil recovery factor. Based on the performed sensitivity analysis of matrix–fracture interaction on the performance of the EOR processes, the foam and FAWAG injection methods were found to be more sensitive to permeability contrast, density, and matrix block highs than WAG injection.

Suggested Citation

  • Riyaz Kharrat & Mehdi Zallaghi & Holger Ott, 2021. "Performance Quantification of Enhanced Oil Recovery Methods in Fractured Reservoirs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-22, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:16:p:4739-:d:608402
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ronald Gugl & Riyaz Kharrat & Ali Shariat & Holger Ott, 2022. "Evaluation of Gas-Based EOR Methods in Gas-Invaded Zones of Fractured Carbonate Reservoir," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Milos Pejic & Riyaz Kharrat & Ali Kadkhodaie & Siroos Azizmohammadi & Holger Ott, 2022. "Influence of Fracture Types on Oil Production in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-20, October.
    3. Tariq Ali Chandio & Muhammad A. Manan & Khalil Rehman Memon & Ghulam Abbas & Ghazanfer Raza Abbasi, 2021. "Enhanced Oil Recovery by Hydrophilic Silica Nanofluid: Experimental Evaluation of the Impact of Parameters and Mechanisms on Recovery Potential," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-19, September.
    4. Riyaz Kharrat & Nouri Alalim & Holger Ott, 2023. "Assessing the Influence of Fracture Networks on Gas-Based Enhanced Oil Recovery Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-19, September.
    5. Riyaz Kharrat & Holger Ott, 2023. "A Comprehensive Review of Fracture Characterization and Its Impact on Oil Production in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-16, April.

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