Enhanced oil recovery

Definition

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) refers to techniques used to increase the amount of crude oil that can be extracted from an oil reservoir beyond what is achievable through primary and secondary recovery methods. These techniques often involve injecting substances like water, gas, or chemicals into the reservoir to boost pressure and improve oil flow. EOR plays a significant role in maximizing oil production, impacting energy resource management and sustainability efforts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. EOR techniques can increase oil recovery rates by 5-15% or more compared to conventional extraction methods.
2. There are three main types of EOR: thermal methods, gas injection, and chemical injection, each suited for different types of reservoirs.
3. Thermal EOR involves injecting steam to heat the oil, reducing its viscosity and allowing it to flow more easily.
4. Gas injection methods use gases like carbon dioxide or natural gas to maintain pressure in the reservoir and improve oil displacement.
5. Chemical injection methods often involve surfactants or polymers to reduce surface tension and increase the mobility of trapped oil.

Review Questions

• How do enhanced oil recovery techniques differ from primary and secondary recovery methods in terms of efficiency and extraction rates?
  • Enhanced oil recovery techniques are designed to improve extraction rates significantly compared to primary and secondary recovery methods. While primary recovery utilizes natural reservoir pressure to extract only 10-20% of the available oil, secondary recovery methods, such as water flooding, can capture an additional 20-40%. EOR can further boost this by employing various advanced techniques, potentially increasing total recovery rates by another 5-15%, thus maximizing the overall yield from an oil reservoir.
• Discuss the environmental implications of enhanced oil recovery, particularly in relation to carbon capture and storage technologies.
  • Enhanced oil recovery has notable environmental implications, especially when paired with carbon capture and storage technologies. By injecting carbon dioxide into oil reservoirs during EOR, companies can not only enhance oil extraction but also sequester CO2 underground, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, concerns arise regarding potential leaks from storage sites, the environmental impact of additional drilling activities, and how these practices align with sustainable energy goals. Balancing increased production with environmental responsibility is a critical consideration in this context.
• Evaluate the long-term sustainability of enhanced oil recovery practices within the framework of global energy demands and climate change.
  • The long-term sustainability of enhanced oil recovery practices is increasingly questioned as global energy demands rise amid climate change concerns. While EOR allows for more efficient extraction of fossil fuels, reliance on these methods may hinder transitions toward renewable energy sources. Additionally, increasing fossil fuel availability could exacerbate greenhouse gas emissions unless coupled with effective carbon management strategies. Therefore, evaluating EOR's role must consider not just immediate economic benefits but also its alignment with a sustainable energy future and climate action efforts.

Related terms

Primary Recovery: The initial stage of oil extraction where natural pressure drives oil to the surface, typically yielding about 10-20% of the total oil in a reservoir.

Secondary Recovery: The phase following primary recovery that involves water or gas injection to maintain reservoir pressure and extract additional oil, often capturing about 20-40% of the remaining oil.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): A technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions produced from the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and stores it underground to prevent it from entering the atmosphere.