SPE Romanian Section

SPE EOR Technologies

Producing mature oil & gas fields is always a challenge, either the reservoir knowledge is poor and needs complex analysis and understanding; either the EOR technologies to be applied are expensive and uneconomical.

The  SPE EOR Technologies Event had the scope to extend on implementation of IOR and EOR technologies in different parts of the world and an example of polymer injection technology.

Abstract	Abstract
Christian Jespersen Practical Implementation of the Life Cycle from IOR to EOR Using the Example of Current Cases	Torsten Clemens EOR from Micro-Scale to Field Implementation – Example of Polymer Injection

Welcome and Introduction

The event started with an introduction from Mr. Alexandru Dragomir, SPE Romanian Section Chairperson, who highlighted the needs of EOR in order to be able to produce hydrocarbons. Taking in consideration the maturity of the oil fields that Romania has, an EOR process is highly efficient and mandatory, first because the reservoir pressure start becoming too low, inducing bigger costs to stimulate the inflow and second the water injection processes usually start to late to be able to keep induce additional pressure to the reservoir. The event continued with the introduction of the guests.

The first speaker, Mr. Christian Jespersen, Development Project Manager at OMV Petrom, talked about Practical Implementation of the Lifecycle from IOR to EOR Using the Example of Current Cases.

Figure 1 – Mr. Christian Jespersen, Development Project Manager, OMV Petrom

He presented the typical stages of recovery in oil & gas fields, starting with IOR methods:

• Reservoir Management;
• Stimulation operations;
• Secondary recovery processes;
• Enhanced Oil Recovery methods(EOR).

He highlighted some of case histories about IOR and EOR application in Germany, Denmark, Norway, Egypt and Mexico, noting key parts of an IOR/EOR project like using all the wells that are available and not dispose of as soon as production stops, thus to be used in future for EOR. An important factor is understanding technically and commercially the cost of failure.

Our next presenter was Mr. Torsten Clemens, SPE Distinguished Lecturer for the 2018 – 2019 season. He talked about how an EOR project is developed from laboratory tests to field implementation.

Figure 2 – Mr. Torsten Clemens, SPE Distinguished Lecturer for the 2018 – 2019 season

Critical part of an EOR project implementation is screening of technologies and assessment of technology readiness in the oil & gas industry. After the technologies are selected, a complex laboratory testing phase is initiated, continued with a pilot test to prove the concept.

One of the examples Mr. Clemens presented was a polymer injection pilot, which has major advantages like acceleration along flow paths, improved macroscopic sweep efficiency and reduction of viscous fingering. However, with each pilot uncertainties should be addressed. The polymer solution quality during the injection, the injection rates and of course the most important factor, the economic efficiency.

We thank SPE Foundation for giving us the chance to have a Distinguished Lecturer at SPE Romanian Section and Mr. Torsten Clemens for volunteering his time to share his experience and expertise in EOR project implementations.

We also thank Mr. Christian Jespersen for the involvement in Section’s activities and interest to share with his experiences in IOR and EOR projects management and implementation.

We thank OMV Petrom for hosting the event in the Petrom City.

Thank you to all attendees.