Can polymers be used for chemical enhanced oil recovery?

The USA and Canada also have several wells (especially heavy oil reservoirs) implementing polymer application for chemical EOR. 7. Conclusions Herein, the application of polymers for chemical enhanced oil recovery was appraised.

What is chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR)?

Meanwhile, large amounts of oil deposits remain unrecovered after application of traditional oil recovery methods. Chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) has been adjudged as an efficient oil recovery technique to recover bypassed oil and residual oil trapped in the reservoir.

How do chemical EOR methods increase oil recovery?

Chemical EOR methods increase oil recovery by increasing the effectiveness of water injected into the reservoir to displace the oil. Dependent on the type of chemical EOR process, chemicals injected with the water slug alter the fluid–fluid and/or fluid–rock interaction in the reservoir.

What materials are used for enhanced oil recovery?

materials for enhanced oil recovery are elucidated. Subsequently, the polymer types used for EOR, namely synthetic polymers and natural polymers (biopolymers), and their properties are discussed. polymeric nanofluid flooding are appraised and evaluated.

Can a combination of conventional chemicals improve oil recovery?

The synergy of the combined conventional chemicals recorded an improved efficiency during their applications in oil wells. Recently, the use of foam enhanced by surfactants and polymers, for improved stability and mobility control have been studied and found to improve oil recovery [16, 17, 18, 19]. Classification of EOR technologies

Does alkali polymer flooding improve oil recovery?

The alkali–polymer flooding yielded 40.2% incremental oil recovery for a heavy oil (oil viscosity = 1300 cP) reservoir. Overall, the flooding tests show that the use of alkali–polymer floods is more efficient than the use of bare alkali flooding or polymer flooding .