N954 Practical Approaches to Increased Recovery
N954 Practical Approaches to Increased Recovery
Alongside conventional techniques such as drilling additional wells and water and gas flooding there are many other recovery methods that need to be evaluated. The physics governing the effectiveness of various recovery methods (e.g. polymer flooding and microbial enhanced oil recovery) is illustrated in relation to experiments and simple modelling. The applicable conditions (simple screening criteria) are presented together with field examples to give a staged approach to understand the potential of Advanced Recovery methods in various situations.
This is a three-day classroom-based course with worked examples, case studies, exercises and discussion. The course includes micro-scale examples to see practical illustrations of the important physical processes.
Participants will learn to:
1. Evaluate the physics governing the effectiveness of various recovery methods.
2. Develop a framework where conventional increased recovery methods can be compared with novel enhanced recovery methods from the standpoints of economics and increased reserves.
3. Appraise simple laboratory scale experiments to understand the physics of fluid flow through various types of heterogeneities.
4. Evaluate the impact of various geological settings by reference to first order modelling assumptions.
5. Screen out non-viable Advanced Recovery schemes using the binary indicator method.
6. Assemble and perform analytical performance indicator screening tools.
7. Evaluate the uncertainty of potential methods due to geological variability.
8. Design and evaluate the economic benefit of a potential Advanced Recovery scheme.
Participants will also have gained a fundamental understanding of the physical processes of fluid-flow that underpins the approach.
1. Introduction
2. Physics of Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery schemes
3. Preliminary Screening
4. Screening: estimated performance based upon:
5. Field Examples (depending upon availability)
6. Uncertainty Analysis
7. Cost/Benefit Analysis
The course is designed for mid to senior level engineers, production geoscientists and subsurface managers.
A desire to understand how to choose the appropriate increased recovery method, including the treatment of economics and uncertainty, as well reservoir fluids and geological heterogeneity is required. Familiarity with some reservoir engineering concepts and terminology is assumed.
Click on a name to learn more about the instructor
Background
Prof Woods completed his undergraduate and post graduate degrees at the University of Cambridge, focusing on mathematics and geological fluid flows. His early academic career included a Lectureship at the University of Cambridge, Institute of Theoretical Geophysics and Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics and later Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Bristol. He was appointed BP Professor of Petroleum Science and Head, BP Institute, University of Cambridge in 2000, where he remains today.
Prof Woods is interested in modelling fluid mechanical processes in industry and the environment, including flows in porous media of relevance for oil production, CO2 sequestration, thermal energy storage and geothermal power production, as well as modelling turbulent flows associated with volcanic eruptions, oil blowouts, and hydrothermal plumes. He is also interested in modelling air and heat transfer in buildings, including the effects of natural convection and ventilation and the use of labyrinths for diurnal and interseasonal heat storage. His work combines laboratory experiments, theoretical models and where appropriate numerical simulations.
Affiliations and Accreditation
PhD University of Cambridge
Courses Taught
N963: Fluid Flow Mechanisms – Observation of Rocks at Outcrop and Implications for Reservoir Modelling, Simulation and Field Development Planning: Continental-Deep Marine Deposystems (SW Ireland)
N954: Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery
Our Safety Management Systems ensure that every course is risk managed appropriately to enable quality, safe and enjoyable learning to take place in the field environment.
To learn more about how RPS manages your health and safety, visit the HSE section of this site.