Investigation of air injection to enhanced oil recovery from medium oil reservoir of Upper Indus basin of Pakistan

Abstract

Previously, air injection is exclusively used in light oil reservoirs; however, laboratory research has shown that air injection can also be very efficient for medium and heavy oil recovery. Due to the low cost of air injection and its indefinite availability, it has an economic advantage over other Enhanced Oil Recovery methods. This study is carried out in an experiment conducted on air injection into medium oil reservoirs. To better understand the air injection procedure for enhancing oil recovery from the X field's medium oil (26.12 °API) of Pakistan reservoir, 14 runs were performed.

The effects of air flux, porous media, temperature, and pressure on oxidation reaction rates were explored and measured. The consumption of oxygen at a rate of 90% was determined. At a moderate pressure of 7300 kPa, a significant oil recovery of around 81% of the original oil in place was observed. Increased air flux and low permeability can have a more significant effect on medium oil recovery.

The technique produced flue gases that were exceptionally low in carbon oxides, with a typical gas composition of 12% CO₂, 6% CO, and unreacted oxygen.

This research will contribute to a better knowledge of the air injection method and allow for the optimum performance for a specified reservoir. In the Enhanced oil recovery, a less costly process using this method will be inspiring due to recovering oil in this region.