Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences
Title : | An Environmentally Sustainable Method for Enhancing Oil Recovery in Candidate Reservoirs of Upper Assam Basin |
Area of research : | Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences |
Focus area : | Petroleum Engineering |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Bhaskar Jyoti Saikia, Dibrugarh University, Assam |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Contact info : | saikia6894bj@gmail.com |
Details
Executive Summary : | This project proposal has been formulated to develop an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable method for improving oil recovery in prospective reservoirs of Upper Assam Basin. This basin of the oldest petroliferous basins of India and more than 50% hydrocarbon reserves are still waiting to be exploited. Most of the production is contributed by mature oilfields under depleted or partially depleted conditions. As injection-production infrastructure is already in place, water-based injection methods like LSW flooding seems to be the most viable schemes for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications. Earlier studies have shown that reservoir rock and fluid characteristics of Upper Assam oilfields are conducive to LSW flooding. Hence, the present study has been undertaken to study the feasibility of improving the efficacy of LSW flooding through its merger with alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding. Such an initiative is believed to contribute immensely towards fulfilling the objectives set by GoI Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North-East India to double oil production by 2030. The basic objective of the research works is to develop an injected water system using eco-friendly materials that will recover maximum residual oil from the depleted/partially depleted reservoirs of Upper Assam oilfields and create minimum environmental concern. To fulfil this major objective, preliminary studies will focus on selecting prospective reservoirs for the EOR application based on reservoir rock and fluid properties. Henceforth, a complete set of experimental works will be conducted to identify competent LSW and bio-based/organic chemicals (ASP) displaying optimum EOR performance. Next, the oil recovery potential of the screened injection water system will be evaluated through core flooding experiments performed under reservoir conditions. Finally, the mechanistic study of the LSW-ASP flooding process will be undertaken for deeper insights into the oil recovery mechanisms involved. It is believed that the project work will facilitate the identification of prospective oil reservoirs of the Upper Assam Basin for LSW EOR application. Another outcome of the research work will be the formulation of an environmentally sound injected water system capable of maximizing the oil recovery from the depleted/partially depleted reservoirs. It is also hopeful that the research works will provide new insights into the oil recovery efficiencies and mechanisms of the LSW+ASP flooding process. Besides, the study will promote better understanding of surface activity, wettabililty alteration, emulsification, and rheological properties of bio-based ASP systems for EOR applications. The development of the advanced injection water system and improved perceptions of the product performance could provide useful guidelines and technological solutions to the oil industries will designing their field development schemes. |
Co-PI: | Dr. Ranjan Phukan, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam-786004 |
Total Budget (INR): | 22,29,450 |
Organizations involved