Comparative Analysis between CO₂-EOR Mechanisms in Conventional Reservoirs vs. Shale and Tight Reservoirs

Author

Dheiaa Alfarge
Mingzhen Wei, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Baojun Bai, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

This chapter discusses how the recovery mechanisms of CO₂ injection differ between unconventional and conventional reservoirs. A methodology which combines real production data with the outputs of reservoir numerical simulation is introduced to diagnose the mechanisms of CO₂-EOR huff-n-puff in conventional versus shale and tight oil reservoirs. Two reverse engineering approaches have been integrated to produce a unique type of curve for the performance of CO₂-EOR huff-n-puff in shale-oil reservoirs. First, numerical simulation methods were used to upscale the reported experimental outcomes to the field conditions. As a result, forward diagnostic plots have been generated by combining different physical and chemical mechanisms of CO₂ with different shale-reservoir conditions. Second, different backward diagnostic plots have been produced from the history match with the CO₂ performances of pilot tests conducted in some portions of the Bakken formation in North Dakota and Montana. Finally, the backward and forward diagnostic plots were fitted to produce another unique type of curve, which agrees with the typical general simulation solutions curve, to represent CO₂-EOR performance in shale-oil reservoirs. This chapter clearly reports that the CO₂-EOR mechanisms in unconventional reservoirs are different from those in conventional reservoirs. Also, the performance behavior of CO₂-EOR in the puff stage is totally different in conventional reservoirs. This chapter provides a thorough explanation of how CO₂-EOR performance differs at the field scale of conventional reservoirs versus shale formations.

Recommended Citation

D. Alfarge et al., "Comparative Analysis between CO₂-EOR Mechanisms in Conventional Reservoirs vs. Shale and Tight Reservoirs," Developments in Petroleum Science, vol. 67, pp. 45 - 63, Elsevier B.V., Jan 2020.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818343-4.00003-6

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Comments

Chapter 3

Keywords and Phrases

CO -EOR mechanisms 2; conventional reservoirs; field production data; history matching; huff-n-puff; shale and tight oil reservoirs

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0376-7361

Document Type

Book - Chapter

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2020