EOR Screening Model Using Response Surface Methodology

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing enhanced oil recovery (EOR) screening tools fail to capture essential reservoir characteristics and are limited in their application, making it difficult to identify the most effective EOR processes for specific hydrocarbon reservoirs.

Innovation Solution

A developed EOR screening model using response surface methodology to estimate oil recovery from various EOR processes, correlating oil recovery with reservoir, fluid, and flood parameters, and validated through simulation and field data, allowing for mechanistic modeling and 3D sector simulations to identify optimal EOR methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing EOR screening tools are used, then the screening process is simple, but they fail to capture essential reservoir characteristics and are limited in their application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreening process simplicityVSAvoidapplication range for different reservoir types

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The screening model integrates multiple EOR process evaluations (gas injection, polymer flood, surfactant-polymer flood, alkaline-polymer flood, thermal methods) into a single unified tool that can screen reservoirs for various EOR techniques simultaneously, making the tool versatile across different reservoir types and EOR methods while maintaining ease of use through automated calculations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive reservoir parameters are incorporated into the screening model, then the accuracy of EOR process identification is improved, but the complexity of the model increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of EOR process identificationVSAvoidmodel complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The model replaces complex manual reservoir evaluation procedures with automated computational algorithms that calculate key performance indicators (displacement efficiency, sweep efficiency, recovery factor) based on input reservoir parameters, thereby improving accuracy while managing complexity through systematic computational approaches rather than manual analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The model transforms multiple reservoir parameters (permeability, porosity, viscosity, saturation, temperature, pressure) into dimensionless groups and standardized inputs that simplify the evaluation process while capturing the essential physics of different EOR mechanisms, allowing accurate screening without overwhelming complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple EOR processes are evaluated simultaneously, then the ability to identify the optimal EOR method is improved, but the time and computational resources required increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to identify optimal EOR methodVSAvoidscreening time and computational resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The model implements a two-stage screening approach where a preliminary rapid evaluation filters out unsuitable EOR processes based on basic reservoir characteristics, followed by detailed evaluation only for promising candidates, thereby reducing overall computational time and resources while maintaining reliable identification of the optimal EOR method

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9316096B2Enhanced oil recovery screening model

Publication Date: 2016.04.19 CONOCOPHILLIPS CO

AI summary

This invention relates to enhanced oil recovery methods to improve hydrocarbon reservoir production. An enhanced oil recovery screening model has been developed which consists of a set of correlations to estimate the oil recovery from miscible and immiscible gas/solvent injection (CO2, N2, and hydrocarbons), polymer flood, surfactant polymer flood, alkaline-polymer flood and alkaline surfactant-polymer flood.