Cyclic Hydrocarbon Injection for Shale Oil Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for enhanced oil recovery in shale reservoirs, such as cyclic gas injection, do not optimize the composition of injection gases to maximize oil recovery, and existing systems lack the necessary apparatus for optimizing this process.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for cyclic injection of hydrocarbon-containing liquids into shale formations at pressures exceeding the formation fracture pressure, using compositional reservoir simulation modeling to adjust the injectant composition in subsequent cycles, and incorporating proppant materials to maintain fracture openness, thereby increasing oil recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cyclic gas injection is used to enhance oil recovery in shale reservoirs, then oil recovery is improved, but the composition of injection gases is not optimized to maximize recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the composition of injection gases across different cycles. The method adjusts parameters such as gas composition (e.g., using propane, butane, or other hydrocarbons), injection pressure, injection rate, and cycle duration to optimize oil recovery. This allows the system to adapt to changing reservoir conditions and maximize extraction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring production data from each cycle and using this information to adjust subsequent injection cycles. The system analyzes production responses to determine optimal injection parameters for the next cycle, creating a closed-loop optimization process that continuously improves oil recovery efficiency.
2Productivity
If injection pressure is increased to exceed formation fracture pressure to create new fractures, then oil recovery is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting fracturing operations during the injection process to create new fractures before the main production phase. By pre-fracturing the formation, the system establishes improved fluid flow pathways that enhance oil recovery without requiring overly complex ongoing management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes dynamics by adjusting injection pressure dynamically during different phases of the cyclic process. The system transitions between injection and production phases, adjusting pressure parameters accordingly to create fractures during injection and maintain them during production, optimizing recovery while managing system complexity.
3Productivity
If proppant materials are added to maintain fracture openness, then fluid flow is improved, but substance loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by using proppant materials that can be effectively placed in fractures to maintain openness, with the understanding that some proppant will be discarded during the cyclic process while the system optimizes the balance between maintaining fracture openness and minimizing material loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly enhances oil recovery by creating new fractures and optimizing the composition of injection fluids, potentially increasing oil recovery by 4 to 10 times the primary estimated ultimate recovery.
Implementation Method 1
injecting a hydrocarbon-containing liquid into a shale formation at pressures in excess of a fracture pressure at which the shale formation begins to fracture
Implementation Method 2
utilization of data during the production of hydrocarbons during cyclic enhanced recovery in compositional reservoir simulation modeling, and the adjustment of the injectant composition for injection in subsequent cycles
Implementation Method 3
A proppant material may be added to the injectant in one or more of the injection cycles to flow into the created fractures, and prop the created fractures
Implementation Method 4
utilizing a hydrocarbon processing apparatus designed so as to recover the hydrocarbon containing composition for injection from the produced hydrocarbon fluids
Data Source
AI summary
Method for enabling the optimized production of hydrocarbons from reservoirs via cyclic injection to reservoir pressures that exceed the formation fracture pressure to achieve an improved and optimal recovery of oil. The method determines and optimizes the composition of injected fluids to be injected, the rate, pressure and duration of injection, the production rate and pressure of produced fluids; determines and utilizes the optimum number of injection and production cycles; and the amount of soaking time; and determines the equipment design and operating characteristics to provide for the optimized injection of injection fluids, and the separation of produced fluids for both reinjection and delivery to sales or storage.