5 Most Important Tertiary Oil Recovery Process

 Tertiary oil recovery, also known as enhanced oil recovery (EOR), is a process used to extract more oil from a reservoir after primary and secondary recovery methods have been exhausted. There are several tertiary oil recovery processes that are used in the oil and gas industry, including:



  1. Thermal recovery: This involves heating the oil reservoir to reduce the viscosity of the oil, making it easier to extract. Steam injection is the most commonly used thermal EOR technique.
    • Thermal recovery is a widely used tertiary oil recovery process that involves heating the reservoir to reduce the viscosity of the oil, making it easier to extract. This process is also known as steam flooding or steam injection, and it is one of the most commonly used EOR techniques.
    • In thermal recovery, steam is injected into the reservoir through injection wells, which heats up the oil and reduces its viscosity. This allows the oil to flow more easily through the reservoir and towards the production wells. The steam also helps to increase the pressure in the reservoir, which further aids in the extraction of the oil.
  1. Gas injection: This involves injecting gas into the reservoir to increase pressure and displace the oil towards the production wells. Carbon dioxide (CO2) injection is the most commonly used gas EOR technique.
  2. Chemical injection: This involves injecting chemicals into the reservoir to reduce the surface tension between the oil and rock, making it easier to extract. The most commonly used chemicals for EOR are surfactants and polymers.
  3. Microbial injection: This involves injecting microorganisms into the reservoir to enhance oil recovery. The microorganisms produce enzymes that break down the oil, making it easier to extract.
  4. Electromagnetic heating: This involves using electromagnetic radiation to heat the reservoir, reducing the viscosity of the oil and increasing its mobility.

The choice of tertiary oil recovery process depends on several factors, including the characteristics of the reservoir, the type of oil being extracted, and the cost and availability of the technology. The goal of tertiary oil recovery is to increase the recovery factor of the reservoir and extend the life of the field.

 

Location: Little River, New Zealand

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