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Sensitivity Study to Evaluate the Impact of Critical Parameters for Feasibility of Air-Injection in Light-Oil Reservoir


Affiliations
1 Institute of petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro, Pakistan
2 Department of Petroleum Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology Karachi, Pakistan
 

Objectives: Air injection has long been recognized as having the potential for being an economical for enhanced oil recovery processes. The oil recovery mechanisms for light oil reservoirs using air injection are yet not well described. Recovering remaining oil economically is always a challenge hence a simulation study was conducted in order to provide feasibility for pilot project implementation and execution. Methods: For improved understanding of injection of air for enhanced oil recovery, a sensitivity study conducted using the CMG simulation approach. The impact of air injection was assessed by considering the different operational constraints such as, permeability heterogeneity, oil viscosity, injection pressures, effect of injection temperatures and injection rate. The impact of various other parameters such as O2 concentration and N2 concentration on oil recovery efficiency were also analyzed. Findings: This study has determined the best possible production scenario, leading to better economic conditions. This study shows that the method of air injection results in more than 60% oil recovery. The results obtained from the simulation study show that the optimal values of operational parameters must be considered. Applications/Improvements: The operational parameters analysed during present study will help the improved efficiency of air injection for enhanced recovery. It is also found that the air injection process could be considered as an economical EOR method for light oil reservoirs.
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  • Sensitivity Study to Evaluate the Impact of Critical Parameters for Feasibility of Air-Injection in Light-Oil Reservoir

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Authors

Abdul Haque Tunio
Institute of petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro, Pakistan
Abdul Majeed Shar
Department of Petroleum Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology Karachi, Pakistan
Muhammad Furqan Qureshi
Institute of petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro, Pakistan
Aftab Ahmed Mahesar
Institute of petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro, Pakistan

Abstract


Objectives: Air injection has long been recognized as having the potential for being an economical for enhanced oil recovery processes. The oil recovery mechanisms for light oil reservoirs using air injection are yet not well described. Recovering remaining oil economically is always a challenge hence a simulation study was conducted in order to provide feasibility for pilot project implementation and execution. Methods: For improved understanding of injection of air for enhanced oil recovery, a sensitivity study conducted using the CMG simulation approach. The impact of air injection was assessed by considering the different operational constraints such as, permeability heterogeneity, oil viscosity, injection pressures, effect of injection temperatures and injection rate. The impact of various other parameters such as O2 concentration and N2 concentration on oil recovery efficiency were also analyzed. Findings: This study has determined the best possible production scenario, leading to better economic conditions. This study shows that the method of air injection results in more than 60% oil recovery. The results obtained from the simulation study show that the optimal values of operational parameters must be considered. Applications/Improvements: The operational parameters analysed during present study will help the improved efficiency of air injection for enhanced recovery. It is also found that the air injection process could be considered as an economical EOR method for light oil reservoirs.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst%2F2018%2Fv11i31%2F122746