David Wayne Love's report
by
David Wayne Love, MSE
University of Texas at Austin, 1996
Supervisor: K. E. Gray
Enhanced oil recovery projects greatly prolong the life of a field. However, these
projects are very costly. Consequently, tremendous efforts are taken by oil companies to
ensure proper placement and utilization of the injectant, thereby maximizing investment return.
These efforts are commonly known as profile modification treatments.
This report describes the efforts of two teams with Exxon Company, USA to
improve the success rate of profile modification treatments. Two areas are highlighted, 1) the
overall selection process of a profile modification candidate and 2) the detailed analysis applied
to design a profile modification treatment.
Improving the overall selection process of a profile modification treatment included
defining the purpose of the treatment, defining the components of a profile modification
treatment, and defining those parameters that adversely affect the components. Profile
modification candidates were then selected by determining the remaining potential of a pattern
or zone, e.g. pattern and/or zonal maturity given targeted injectant slug size. Twenty three
candidates were chosen and grouped into six problem types. Analysis of the candidates
involved evaluating well generalities, injection profile data, and potential treatment
technologies. Workover designs were then discussed for two of the six problem types.
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