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 possible with primary and secondary recovery methods. This process often involves injecting substances like water, gas, or chemicals into the reservoir to improve flow and push more oil to the surface. EOR is significant in the context of carbon capture and storage technologies because it can utilize captured carbon dioxide to improve oil extraction while also storing CO2 underground, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Enhanced oil recovery can increase oil production by 5% to 15% beyond what is achievable with traditional methods.
2. There are three main types of EOR: thermal recovery, gas injection, and chemical injection, each utilizing different mechanisms to increase oil mobility.
3. Carbon dioxide is often used in gas injection EOR because it can help dissolve oil, making it easier to extract while also serving as a long-term storage solution for CO2.
4. EOR techniques can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of oil production by integrating carbon capture methods directly into the extraction process.
5. The economic viability of enhanced oil recovery projects depends on factors like oil prices, reservoir characteristics, and the costs associated with capturing and transporting CO2.

Review Questions

• How does enhanced oil recovery utilize carbon capture technologies to benefit both oil production and greenhouse gas reduction?
  • Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) integrates carbon capture technologies by injecting captured carbon dioxide into oil reservoirs. This process not only improves oil flow, increasing production but also serves a dual purpose by storing CO2 underground. By utilizing CO2 for EOR, companies can extract more fossil fuel while simultaneously addressing climate change through effective greenhouse gas reduction strategies.
• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using enhanced oil recovery in terms of environmental impacts and economic feasibility.
  • Enhanced oil recovery presents several advantages, including increased crude oil output and the potential for carbon sequestration, which helps mitigate climate change. However, it also poses environmental risks, such as potential groundwater contamination and induced seismicity due to changes in subsurface pressure. Economically, EOR can be beneficial when oil prices are high but may become less viable during periods of low prices or when the costs of carbon capture and transportation outweigh benefits.
• Assess how enhanced oil recovery could influence future energy policies aimed at balancing fossil fuel reliance and climate commitments.
  • Enhanced oil recovery could significantly shape future energy policies by providing a bridge between current fossil fuel reliance and long-term climate commitments. By facilitating increased oil extraction while incorporating carbon capture and storage practices, EOR may support transitional energy strategies that aim to lower greenhouse gas emissions without immediately abandoning fossil fuels. This approach could lead to policy frameworks that promote sustainable energy development while gradually reducing dependence on high-carbon energy sources.

Related terms

Carbon capture: A technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions produced from the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and industrial processes.

Sequestration: The process of storing captured carbon dioxide in geological formations to prevent it from entering the atmosphere.

Secondary recovery: The method of extracting oil that follows primary recovery, typically using water or gas injection to maintain reservoir pressure.