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University of Wyoming

Low-Salinity Water Flooding

Description:

Low salinity water flooding is an exciting new EOR method early in its development. Typically water flooding is considered a secondary production phase and utilizes briny or high salinity water. Almost by accident it was discovered that a water flooded reservoir, which was subsequently flooded again with relatively low-salinity water, would experience enhanced recovery of almost 20%. Although a mechanism to explain the process has yet to be fully developed the technique shows great promise and has generated a great deal of enthusiasm amongst producers and engineers.

Benefits to producers:

The benefit to the producer is a moderate-cost large-return EOR method. Given the naturally low-salinity of several Wyoming aquifers this technique is especially suited to the state’s oil reservoirs.

EORI activities:

The EORI has several programs investigating different aspects of this technology. Laboratory based rock-fluid interaction studies are underway in an effort to determine a mechanism for the observed enhanced recovery. In the future, pilot studies will be designed and implemented to examine the effectiveness of the technique in Wyoming field-reservoir combinations.

Links:

SPE article on Low-Salinity Waterflooding

Article in the Alaska Journal of Commerce

Contact:

Geoff Thyne