Enhanced oil recovery (ASP) Alkaline Surfactant Polymer Flooding and flow assurance
Overview:
The current increase in oil price has lead to a new look at more cost intensive enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods especially for oil fields on decline. The reason is the large potential for increased tail production by chemical methods and miscible gas injection. In the 80's these methods were studied extensively, but during the low oil prices in the 90's the interest and research on these EOR methods diminished.

Investigating the potential for EOR by improved microscopic displacement efficiency requires that the basic mechanisms governing the processes are well understood, and can be included into predictive modeling tools. While the first two methods are aimed at improved microscopic displacement by low interfacial tension,
Flow assurance have mostly focused on stable flow in flow lines avoiding hydrate formation, but also include problems related to recycling of injection water.

ASP Design & Procedure
Indospec has been collaborated and directly involved with Surtek,Inc using interfacial tension agents for Chemicals Floods project in Indonesia since year 2005 in Several Project , we believe a well designed system substantially reduce the risk of Project application and a poorly designed system will fail and lose money, the laboratory works will includes;

LABORATORY FLUID DESIGN:
Water and crude analysis
Alkali IFT's
Alkali-surfactant IFT's
Phase behavior evaluations
Static chemical consumption evaluations
Cation exchange capacity
Produced water compatibility evaluations

Fluid-Rock Compatibility
This work is done in either consolidated or unconsolidated linear reservoir core at reservoir temperature. This work determines the following:
Relative permeability characteristics
Chemical-rock compatibilities
Injection of polymers in alkaline-surfactant solutions
Rheological characteristics
Polymer requirements for mobility control
Chemical retention by reservoir core
Oil saturation changes after each injected solution

Oil Recovery Radial Corefloods
Radial corefloods are preferred for final system selection because the laboratory oil recoveries compare very well with actual field performance. The radial corefloods determine:
Mobility ratio of water displacing crude oil
End points of the relative permeability curve
Amount of incremental ASP oil
Amount of chemical retained
Potential injection and flow problems
Potential scale problems
Variation of oil recovery with slug size
Variation of oil recovery with slug modifications
The laboratory results for a SURTEK ASP™ design will determine whether a project should proceed or not.

Engineering Evaluations
The range of geological and engineering services. These range from core fracture analysis to numerical simulation. Engineering studies determine the technical and economic feasibility of applying oil recovery processes. These studies use all available project data to obtain an understanding of the reservoir. Some of the types of engineering evaluation are outlined below.
Geological Analysis - Comprehensive geologic studies determine lateral and vertical continuity of all intervals. Flow units, flow barriers and faults are identified. Porosity, permeability, and fluid saturation information from these studies provide basic reservoir engineering information.
Engineering Evaluations - Reservoir engineering evaluations interpret the success or feasibility of various depletion strategies. Other engineering services include:
Economics of chemical flooding
Classical engineering evaluation of water flood efficiency and remedial recommendations
Reserves determinations
Numerical simulation
Engineering design of chemical flood injection facilities including process flow, chemical storage, instrumentation, and equipment sizing

Quality control and EOR plant operating procedures
Operations support including supplier interfacing, quality control, data collection, and results interpretation.
Studies for potential EOR applications
Associating engineering and geological disciplines helps reduce the risk in the application of any water flood or EOR process. A thorough review of the reservoir's performance and its geology are the first steps in implementing any project.