The term ‘EOR’ is typically understood to mean the same as tertiary recovery – changing the properties of the hydrocarbons to enhance production.
Primary oil recovery is limited to hydrocarbons that rise to the surface naturally (e.g. naturally-flowing wells) or with artificial lift devices (e.g. ESPs or pump jacks). Secondary recovery uses water or gas injection, typically at the edges of the reservoir, to push the crude towards the producing wells. Tertiary recovery, also known as ‘enhanced oil recovery’, uses chemistry or heat to change the makeup of the reservoir. Most of the oilfield activity meant to boost oil production does not count as EOR activity.
We need look no further than Kuwait, Oman or the UAE to see that EOR on a gigantic scale is being performed in the region. Steam injection, water alternating gas injection, as well as CO2 Injection are all methods that are being used in the Middle East. The size of the steam injection projects in Kuwait and Oman are enormous, with the Kuwait Lower Fars heavy oil development project being publicised as costing $7bn.Â
Emerson perceives that companies that implement EOR will gain the best return on their investment if the EOR project pushes data to a digital oilfield and that data is analysed to understand the effectiveness of the operations. For instance, for a steam injection project, what is the volume and ratio of oil, gas and water produced from each well in real time? Is it what the model predicted? Is the (expensive) thermal energy being used in the best places to maximise production? For CO2 injection, has the CO2 broken through to the producer wells or is it still ‘pushing’ the hydrocarbons? These are just two examples of where instrumentation can be implemented at the wellhead to cost-effectively measure three-phase flow or provide gas chromatography with minimal manual intervention or maintenance. Without the insight that such instrumentation can yield, the return on the EOR investment cannot be measured, let alone maximised.
 EOR is an area in which the operating costs of the oilfield are significantly higher than we have traditionally seen in this region. That is why the intelligent, or digital field is so important in these applications. Suites of workflows that take data from the wellhead need to be implemented to ensure that cross-functional expertise is brought to bear on the problems of working at higher temperatures, with corrosive chemicals, and more complex equipment.Â
These workflows need to extend further into the mechanical, reliability and safety space than with a conventional oilfield. The uptime and efficiency of the thermal generators has a crucial impact on the economics of steam flooding; similarly with compressors for gas injection. When injected, CO2 mixes with reservoir fluids to create corrosive liquids, corrosion management becomes critical. The intelligent field is where these workflows come together to ensure that all of the right experts get their eyes on the relevant data in the context that they need it, and that all of the team members’ goals – uptime, production, profitability and integrity – are met and exceeded.
 The intelligent field in EOR, just as it is in conventional plays, is about data and expertise put into context to make better holistic decisions. It’s just that in EOR projects the stakes are higher. The CapEx associated with the project is higher, as is the OpEx, and the risks associated with loss of containment are both higher and more varied, with greater consequences.Â
Emerson is passionate about providing the data and the expertise needed to complete the business case of the intelligent field. With a range of instrumentation, we can help you get the data you need, where you need it. Our approach to getting tangible returns from the Industrial Internet of Things ensures that EOR operators make the most of their investment.Â
