Tech Transfer Track

Planning EOR Projects, Apply Lessons Learned

Crude oil prices are strong and consensus is that they will remain so. In this environment many operators are taking a relook at their mature oil reservoirs for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) potential. There is wisdom in applying general lessons learned from past EOR projects. These lessons learned include:

• The Planning Process. Economic studies, reservoir characterization and engineering design, and reservoir performance modeling should proceed in parallel.

• Reservoir Performance Modeling. EOR modeling requires more data and more time than primary- or secondary-processes, but it's worth it since the penalties for being wrong are much higher.

• Economic Studies. Start with simple screening models to aid in process selection and add sophistication as the project develops.

• Process Selection. Realize that EOR processes do one of two things—improve sweep efficiency or improve displacement efficiency (or both). Know what will be at work in your reservoir.

• Reservoir Characterization. Build a geological and petrophysical description of the reservoir and know the impact on EOR processes. Not understanding the reservoir adequately is probably the most common cause of failure in past EOR projects.

• Engineering Design. Know which parameters will influence economic success the most, then focus effort there.

• Pilots, Field Tests. These are needed when there are important parameters and variables where more needs to be known. Pilot design should target getting those answers. Good pilots use observation or monitor wells. Targeted pilots can get answers in months, not years.

• Project Implementation. Ongoing active surveillance is a partnership between operations and engineering. Anticipate that adjustments will be needed and make them.

Excerpted from "Planning Successful EOR Projects," Journal of Petroleum Technology, March 2005, p. 28-29. Article accessible online at www.spe.org/spe/jpt/jsp/
jptmonthlysection/0,2440,1104_
11038_3623293_3630284,00.
html.

S3GPS, A Unique
GPS Service

Most in industry are convinced of the value of knowing where there assets are. The challenge for busy operators is sorting through more than 250 vendors to find the right match. That is where S3GPS, which was formed in 2003, enters the picture. Much like a general contractor, S3GPS lets a customer explain what it wants, then they go to work interviewing the "right" vendors for the job. To the customer, S3GPS's services are pro bono—they are compensated by the vendors for their matching. This service helps time-stressed small- to mid-size companies without IT staff make informed decisions and gets them aligned with appropriate vendors. Operators should note that, due to declassification of military technology, GPS costs have decreased significantly in recent years.

Excerpted from "New Service Providers Enter Oil Field," American Oil and Gas Reporter, March 2005, pp. 67-ff. Visit www.s3gps.com  for more information.

SPE Begins
eMentoring Program

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) recently launched an eMentoring program, a program designed to be a convenient and effective way to connect young professionals (fewer than five years in the industry) and students with more experienced members. In addition to being mentored, young professionals have a unique opportunity to serve as mentors to students as well. eMentoring provides the advantage of transcending geographic boundaries and time constraints through online communication. Mentors are encouraged to communicate with mentees on a regular basis and initiate discussions offering guidance and advice. Through

frequent communication, mentors will foster trust by making mentee's feel their questions and concerns are carefully considered.

Interested SPE members must register as mentors; mentee registration will soon follow. Mentors and mentees will then be matched and the mentoring process begun. This represents an opportunity for both new and seasoned professionals to contribute to their profession, plus there is the potential for building lifelong relationships.

For more information visit www.spe.org/spe/jsp/basic/
0,,1104_3983211,00.html.

What's New In
Artificial Lift

Each year World Oil features a series by James Lea and Herald Winkler of Texas Tech University about new developments in artificial lift. This year Bob Snyder co-authored the two-part series that appeared in the April and May issues of World Oil. Considering that artificial lift is essential for the vast majority of U.S. wells, operators are encouraged to review the highlighted developments.

A partial listing of developments (with issue indicated) includes:

• Sidestream Flush Restrictor for Improved Chemical Injection, Omega Technologies, Inc. (April, p. 60)

• Low Horsepower Drivehead for PCP pumps, Baker Hughes Centrilift (April, p. 64)

• Insertable High-Volume PCP pump, Arrowhead (April, p. 64)

• PAL Improved Casing Plunger, P.A.A.L. LLC (April, p. 71)

• High-Volume ESP Gas Separator, Baker Hughes Centrilift (May, p. 63)

• Insertable Diaphragm Pump, SmithLift (May, p. 67)

• Data Recording with FieldDIRECT Services (expanded to AL data, chemical usage, etc.), IHS Energy (May, p. 69)

View articles online at www.world
oil.com/Magazine/Magazine_
Contents.asp.