ANALYSIS OF ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY IN THE PELICAN LAKE FIELD USING SURFACTANT AND POLYMER INJECTION

Abstract

To analyze the economic viability of Pelican Lake field, located in Canada, some scenarios using enhanced oil recovery methods were simulated by request of the field operator, Canadian Natural Resources Limited. Surfactant concentrations influence essential characteristics responsible for promoting good recovery, lowering interfacial tension of fluids and aiding oil bank mobility. Considering different polymer and surfactant concentrations in the injection water and using the PumaFlow software, 5 (five) scenarios of fluid injection were simulated. Results show that the oil recovery factor is directly proportional to the concentration of chemical agents. Among the injection tests carried out, the one with the best performance was the case presenting a concentration of 1400 ppm of polymer and 3000 ppm of surfactant in the injected water, allowing a larger oil production from the field. The case presenting the best outcomes had a 50% higher net present value if compared to the water injection case, as well as an increase of 4.85 percent points in the recovery factor. In addition, for each barrel of additional oil produced, only USD 8.18 is spent on chemical agents, which makes it a cost-effective solution to oil production.