In Situ CO 2 EOR Mechanism and CO 2 -OIL Phase Behavior

Abstract

Numerical reservoir simulators are employed to obtain meaningful and reliable solutions for an actual case due to extreme complexity of the reservoirs systems. Wilcox formation is a reservoir in the gulf of Mexico with various development challenges, to better maximize the resources in the reservoir, simulation studies is needed to make better informed decision. For this study, a compositional simulator model is developed for comparing CO 2 injection in different API oil reservoir. The fluid samples were characterized using PVT simulator and so also is the swelling factor and the viscosity reduction test. The E300 eclipse simulator was used for determining the MMP by developing a 1-D slimtube experiment model and a CO 2 injection model for the case studied. The estimated MMP of 6500 psia is less than the reservoir pressure so a miscible flooding was achieved. Four API oil samples (22 o , 29 o , 38 o and 45 o ) was simulated and compared considering different scenarios. The viscosity reduces with increasing injection rate for the light oil samples and from the swelling test, increasing CO 2 injected will increase the oil swelling capability. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate which of the samples is best candidate for CO 2 flooding and results shows that light oil reservoirs are better candidate for CO 2 flooding.