2016. EAGE IOR.
As of today, the vast majority of chemical enhanced oil recovery projects have been conducted using polymers in powder form. The fact that many of these projects – not to say all – have been implemented onshore is probably part of the explanation. Powders present several advantages which will be described in more detail in the following paragraphs including high active content and longer shelf-life. Nowadays, when considering offshore projects, the use of liquids can at times be more convenient when the weather conditions make the transfer of solids from a boat to a platform more difficult. A smaller equipment footprint is also required when using emulsions compared to solids; this can be a critical parameter when studying the implementation in brown fields with existing facilities.