Enhanced Oil Recovery - An Overview

Nearly 2.0 × 1012 barrels (0.3 × 1012 m3) of conventional oil and 5.0 × 1012 barrels (0.8 × 1012 m3) of heavy oil will remain in reservoirs worldwide after conventional recovery methods have been exhausted. Much of this oil would be recovered by Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods, which are part of the general scheme of Improved Oil Recovery (IOR). The choice of the method and the expected recovery depends on many considerations, economic as well as technological. This paper examines the EOR methods that have been tested in the field. Some of these have been commercially successful, while others are largely of academic interest. The reasons for the same are discussed. The paper examines thermal and…