ENHANCE OIL RECOVERY BY USING STEAM FLOOD ENHANCE OIL RECOVERY BY USING STEAM FLOOD METHODMETHOD

Nydia Amelia MadiadipuraNydia Amelia MadiadipuraChemical Engineering – Faculty of Engineering University of Indonesia Chemical Engineering – Faculty of Engineering University of Indonesia

Abstract

Objectives Contact Information

Background

Conclusion

Enhanced Oil Recovery by using Steam Flood Method is a modern technique of oil extraction with the aim to increase oil production. The basic principle of EOR is by injecting steam into an oil well to reduce the viscosity of the oil inside, therefore the oil can be extracted at more ease. It is predicted that this method is able to recover 30-60% of the total oil available in an oil well

Indonesia has an abundant natural resources which includes the oil and gas sector. It is believed that this country owns 3.7 million barrel of reserve oil. However, the oil production is estimated to be 890,000 barrel per day, not even reaching the national target of oil production. One reason that explains this problem is the oil extraction used is too conventional. Therefore, we need a new recovery method, and so, Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) by using Steam Flood Method is introduced.

ResultMethodology

Nydia Amelia Madiadipura1306449214nydiamelia@yahoo.co.id085668766440Department of Chemical EngineeringFaculty of Engineering University of Indonesia

The aim of implementing EOR is to enhance oil recovery, thus increasing oil production. The benefits of EOR are as such:

• Increasing oil production without adding new oil well

• Fulfilling a nation’s demand of oil

• Raising the social welfare in a county

Enhance oil recovery by using steam flood method relies on the supply of external energy in the form of steam to increase the pressure inside oil well and reduce the oil viscosity, so that the oil can flow easily. Therefore, it can be extracted at more ease

This new technique of oil recovery may face some difficulties to be implemented in Indonesia, considering its high production cost and the high technology used. However, this problem can be overcome as the time goes by, especially as there are more petroleum expert in our country. In the future, it is predicted that this method will be used by most oil and gas companies due to its benefit.

It is believed that enhanced oil recovery by using steam flood method is able to recover 30-60% of the oil available in an oil well. This method is therefore more beneficial than the preceding technique of oil extraction, such as primary and secondary oil recovery method.

From the explanation above, we can conclude that Enhanced Oil Recovery by using Steam Flood Method is a new innovation in the world of oil and gas to increase oil productivity. The basic principle of this method is by injecting heat in the form of steam inside an oil well to increase the pressure inside and reduce the viscosity of the oil, so that the oil can flow easily. Therefore, it is easier to extract. By implementing this method, Indonesia’s oil production is expected to increase to meet the demand of oil in this country.

Enhance Oil Recovery by Using Enhance Oil Recovery by Using Steam Flood MethodSteam Flood Method

• Injecting steam at the temperature of 300-400 Injecting steam at the temperature of 300-400 degree Celsius to an oil welldegree Celsius to an oil well

• Letting the steam to soak for several daysLetting the steam to soak for several days• Oil extractionOil extraction

This method is applied continuously until it reached the point where the production cost is higher than the income from selling the oil.

However, it should be noted that steam flood method can not be implemented on any oil well. There are several factors that should be considered, and here is the detail:

There are three steps in this method, and they are: