APPLICATION OF FRONTAL DISPLACEMENT MECHANISM IN MICROBIAL ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY
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ABSTRACT
This project work is on application of frontal displacement mechanism in microbial enhanced oil recovery. Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) is a tertiary oil extraction technology allowing the partial recovery of the commonly residual two-thirds of oil, thus increasing the life of mature oil reservoirs.
Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) is a biological based technology consisting in manipulating function or structure, or both, of microbial environments existing in oil reservoirs. The ultimate aim of MEOR is to improve the recovery of oil entrapped in porous media while increasing economic profits. Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is a tertiary oil recovery process where microorganisms and/or their metabolic by products are utilized for the mobilization of crude oil trapped in mature oil formations. The proposed MEOR mechanisms leading to oil recovery fall into two broad categories: (Mechanism 1) alteration of oil/water/rock interfacial properties and (Mechanism 2) changes in flow behavior due to bioclogging. Numerous reports show the efficacy of MEOR at the lab-scale; however, a complete understanding of the mechanisms involved is lacking, and the effectiveness of each mechanism for different reservoir parameters (such as wettability) is unknown.
The aim of this project is to list and discus the application of frontal displacement mechanism in microbial enhanced oil recovery
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) is a biological based technology consisting in manipulating function or structure, or both, of microbial environments existing in oil reservoirs. The ultimate aim of MEOR is to improve the recovery of oil entrapped in porous media while increasing economic profits. MEOR is a tertiary oil extraction technology allowing the partial recovery of the commonly residual two-thirds of oil, thus increasing the life of mature oil reservoirs.
Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) is a multidisciplinary field incorporating, among others: geology, chemistry, microbiology, fluid mechanics, petroleum engineering, environmental engineering and chemical engineering. The microbial processes proceeding in MEOR can be classified according to the oil production problem in the field:
- well bore clean up removes mud and other debris blocking the channels where oil flows through;
- well stimulation improves the flow of oil from the drainage area into the well bore; and
- Enhanced water floods increase microbial activity by injecting selected microbes and sometimes nutrients. From the engineering point of view, MEOR is a system integrated by the reservoir, microbes, nutrients and protocol of well injection.
1.1 OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
The main objective of this work is list and discuss the application of frontal displacement mechanism in microbial enhanced oil recovery
1.2 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study exposed me to:
- The meaning of microbial enhanced oil recovery which is a tertiary oil recovery process where microorganisms and/or their metabolic by products are utilized for the mobilization of crude oil trapped in mature oil formations.
- Three general strategies exist for the implementation of microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR): (1) injection of nutrients to stimulate indigenous microorganisms, (2) injection of exogenous microorganisms(s) and nutrients, or (3) injection of ex situ produced products, and finally, the application of frontal displacement mechanism in microbial enhanced oil recovery.
1.3CLASSIFICATION OF MICROBIAL ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY (MEOR)
Mainly, MEOR is classified as surface MEOR and underground MEOR based on the place where microorganisms work. For surface MEOR, biosurfactand (Rhamnolipid), biopolymer (xanthan gum), and enzyme are produced in the surface facilities. These biological products are injected into the target place in the reservoirs as chemical EOR methods. While, for underground MEOR, microorganisms, nutrients and/or other addictives are injected into the reservoir and let them sustain, grow, metabolize, and ferment underground.
Based on the source of microorganisms, underground MEOR is categorized into in-situ MEOR and indigenous MEOR. While according to procedures of processes, underground MEOR is sorted as:
- Cyclic Microbial Recovery (Huff and Puff, Single Well Stimulation)
- Wax Removal and Paraffin Inhibition (Wellbore Cleanup)
- Microbial Flooding Recovery
- Selective Plugging Recovery
- Acidizing/Fracturing
- Cyclic Microbial Recovery
A solution of microorganisms and nutrients is introduced into an oil reservoir during injection. The injector is then shut in for an incubation period allowing the microorganisms to produce carbon dioxide gas and surfactants that help to mobilize the oil. The well is then opened and oil and products resulting from the treatment are produce.
b. Microbial Flooding Recovery
Recovery by this method utilizes the effect of microbial solutions on a reservoir. The reservoir is usually conditioned by water preflush, and then a solution of microorganisms and nutrients is injected. As this solution is pushed through the reservoir by drive water, it forms gases and surfactants that help to mobilize the oil. The resulting oil and product solution is then pumped out through production wells.
c. Selective Plugging Recovery
Injection of bacterial suspensions followed by nutrients to produce biopolymer and microbial itself, which may plug the high permeability zone in the reservoir. The reduction of permeability would change the inject profile and achieve conformance control.
5. Research Areas
From the above introduction, the research areas of MEOR could be concluded as history, geology, chemistry, microbiology, fluid mechanics, petroleum engineering, genetic engineering, chemical engineering, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, mechanisms of MEOR, transportation of bacteria, industrial participation, information technology, and economics. That requires education, cooperation between historian, geologist, chemist, microbiologist, production engineer, reservoir engineer, geotechnical engineer, environmental engineer, accountant, finance manager, information technologist, mathematician, and others.
6. Microorganisms for MEOR
a. Characteristics of Bacteria
1) Dynamic ecology with many species
2) Growth determined by environment
i. Nutrients: cell material and energy
ii. Physical
iii. Chemical
iv. Biological
b. The microorganisms for MEOR should have the following potential properties:
- Small Size
- Resistant to High Temperatures
- Resistant against High Pressure
- Capability of Withstand Brine and Seawater
- Anaerobic Using of Nutrients
- Unfastidious Nutritional requirements
- Appropriate Biochemical Construction for Production Suitable Amounts of MEOR Chemicals
- Lack of any Undesirable Characteristics
Here, undesirable characteristics mean permeability reduction (damage the formation where a large amount of remaining exists), corrosion, and souring.
1.4 ADVANTAGES OF MICROBIAL ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY (MEOR)
- The injected bacteria and nutrient are inexpensive and easy to obtain and handle in the field
- Economically attractive for marginally producing oil fields; a suitable alternative before the abandonment of marginal wells
- According to a statistical evaluation (1995 in U.S.), 81% of all MEOR projects demonstrated a positive incremental increase in oil production and no decrease in oil production as a result of MEOR processes
- The implementation of the process needs only minor modifications of the existing field facilities
- The costs of the injected fluids are not dependent on oil prices
- MEOR processes are particularly suited for carbonate oil reservoirs where some EOR technologies cannot be applied with good efficiency
- The effects of bacterial activity within the reservoir are magnified by their growth whole, while in EOR technologies the effects of the additives tend to decrease with time and distance
- MEOR products are all biodegradable and will not be accumulated in the environment, so environmentally friendly
1.5 DISADVANTAGES OF MICROBIAL ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY (MEOR)
- Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE)
- A better understanding of the mechanisms of MEOR
- The ability of bacteria to plug reservoirs
- Numerical simulations should be developed to guide the application of MEOR in fields
- Lack of talents
