Numerical simulation of alkaline – Surfactant – Polymer flooding for enhanced oil recovery

Abstract

Chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR), has drawn increasing interest and identified as an effective enhanced oil recovery method. Despite the collapse of oil prices since 2014, operators still see ASP flooding as opportunities for increasing recovery factors from known oil accumulations. The simulation has been carried out on a 3-dimensional homogeneous synthetic model using Schlumberger’s Eclipse software. Waterflooding act as primary case has a recovery of 47%. Simulation involved compised of ASP Formulation Development. Key results showed that Single chemical flooding gives recovery range of 50-60%. Concentration for cost effective surfactant-polymer (SP), alkaline-polymer (AP) and alkaline-surfactant (AS) coupled has been determined gives presentable recovery range from 58% to 72% at reduced cost. Concentration of ASP flooding optimized to 20 lb/stb alkaline, 5 lb/stb surfactant and 1 lb/stb polymer, gives optimized recovery of 81% from 47% waterflooding.