Polymer Flooding Advanced course
Delving into the details of the most implemented chemical EOR technique
Advanced level | 4 days | In-person or remote
This course provides an in-depth view of polymer flooding from the selection of the field to field-wide implementation. Using one or several field cases from the attendees’ portfolio, we will go through the full polymer flooding implementation workflow and review all the fundamental concepts along the way with a greater look at the details: field analysis, candidate ranking, pilot selection, well selection, data gathering, lab. workflow, polymer selection and characterization, core flooding, simulation, pilot design, equipment, implementation, monitoring, economics, carbon footprint, field-wide deployment, tendering processes… At the end of the seminar, the objective will be to have an actionable plan ready for quick field roll-out.
Course objectives
In this Polymer Flooding Training Course, participants will embark on an enriching journey to master the art and science of one of the foremost chemical enhanced oil recovery methods. Our objectives are:
- Core Comprehension: Grasp the foundational principles and the rise of tertiary methods in enhanced oil recovery, enabling participants to differentiate between primary concerns and auxiliary details.
- Chemistry and Viscosity Insight: Dive deep into the world of polymers, understanding their types, properties, and how they aid in viscosity modification for EOR.
- Lab-Field Transition: Learn to decipher laboratory results, their relevance, and how to translate them to field conditions, ensuring maximum applicability and efficiency.
- Model Reliability: Gain a robust understanding of models, their historical accuracy, and their predictive capacities, while bridging gaps between theoretical models and practical realities.
- Operational Mastery: Acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for efficient field applications, including equipment setup, pilot transitions, and other crucial aspects of polymer flooding.
- Real-world Case Studies: Analyze and learn from real-world polymer flooding projects, gleaning invaluable insights and best practices to ensure success in your endeavors.
By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to harness the full potential of polymer flooding, optimizing oil recovery while avoiding common pitfalls.
Agenda
Day 1
I. The Rising Relevance of Tertiary Recovery
a. Overview of Water Injection: From its simplicity to its inefficiencies.
b. Transitioning from Water Production: The implications on energy, CO2 credits, and financial aspects.
c. Identifying Challenges: Distinguishing genuine issues from mere plumbing problems.
II. Polymer Flooding: The Comprehensive Guide
a. Current Operators in the Market
b. Benefits of Polymer Flooding: Reasons to consider this approach.
c. Applicability: Deciphering when and where it’s relevant.
d. The Core Concepts Explained
e. The Mechanism: How it functions.
f. Cost Implications: Investment required for effective implementation.
III. Polymer Flooding: Essential Know-hows
a. From Raw Materials to Environmental Impact: A holistic perspective.
b. Key Focus Areas:
i. Ensuring consistent water quality
ii. Maintaining stable polymer quality
iii. Managing volumes and logistics
iv. Addressing polymer retention
c. Debunking Common Misconceptions and their rationale.
d. Factors to Avoid: Details withheld for confidentiality.
e. Overlooked Queries: Delving into questions often missed by professionals.
Day 2
IV. Laboratory Assessments: A Critical Evaluation
a. Setting Expectations: What should one seek from the polymer?
b. Field vs Laboratory: Is it worth researching what can’t be managed in real-world settings?
c. Comparing Solutions: Assessing consistency between lab-based and field polymers.
d. Wrap-up: A synthesis of laboratory test insights.
V. Models in Polymer Flooding
a. Discussing The Importance of Historical Context in Polymer Flooding
b. Predictive Accuracy: Can models truly predict outcomes?
c. Constructing Convincing Business Cases: Winning over stakeholders.
VI. Mastering Injection Equipment
a. The Fundamentals: What’s essential for seamless operations?
b. Historical Learnings: Drawing insights from past practices.
c. Constructing a Comprehensive Field History
Day 3
VII. Field Implementation Strategies
a. Defining and Measuring Success
b. Pilots: Enhancing lab tests to real-world scales.
c. The Significance of Wells in Polymer Flooding
d. The Delicate Balance: Pressure vs Oil Output
e. Unraveling the Mystery: Understanding the reservoir’s behavior.
f. NPV: A New Perspective on Value
VIII. Analyzing Past Field Cases
a. Objective Findings from the Field
b. Reflecting on Lessons Learned: Alternate approaches for improved results.
IX. Administrative Essentials
a. Key Players in Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (cEOR)
b. Sample Collection: The importance of scale
c. Effective Polymer Packaging, Project Management, and Tendering
d. Vendor Selection: Criteria for choosing the right manufacturers.
Day 4: working on field cases
Additional Sections
X. Case Study Review
Dive deep into real-world scenarios, analyzing and discussing potential improvements.
XI. Feedback and Iteration
An open forum to address any overlooked aspects.
XII. Bonus Material
a. Unpacking Conformance Treatments
b. Surfactants: Beyond the Technical Challenges
c. ASP Flooding: Emphasizing the importance of raw materials.
Feedback
Who should attend
Geologists, geophysicists, drilling engineers, production engineers, completion engineers, reservoir engineers, exploration supervisors and managers concerned with the implementation of chemical enhanced oil recovery techniques and polymer flooding in particular.