Uses of Phase Diagrams in Solvent FloodingPseudoternary Graphs

Uses or Phase Diagrams in Solvent FloodingHow does solvent flooding work ? HighlightsGeneral overview of solvent methods.Mechanisms of oil displacement using Phase DiagramsHydrocarbon miscible displacementFirst Contact Miscible process, Condensing-Gas process, Vaporizing-Gas process. Minimum miscibility pressure (MMP).

Introduction to Solvent FloodingSolvents are injected in the reservoir to displace oilSolvent injection can result in Miscible Displacement (1-phase) Immiscible Displacement (2-phases)

Potential SolventsThe number and type of potential solvents is very large. Typical solvents are,

Gas: nitrogen, flue gas, methane, carbon dioxide

Liquid solvents: liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), organic alcohols

Solvent Flooding Fundamentals

Primary means for recovering oil is through mass transfer or extraction.

Several modes of injecting the solvent into the reservoir (Continuous or pattern flooding, WAG, etc)

Phase Envelope and Tie Lines.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.91.1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9001C1C10n-C4CPMixture GasLiquid

Whats Miscible & Immiscible?.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.15.6.7.8.9001LightHeavyIntermediateOilM1S1S2G2M2L2.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.15.6.7.8.9001LightHeavyIntermediateOilM1S1S2G2M2L2

Effect of Pressure on Miscibility

First Contact Miscible Recovery Processes (FCM)

Developed or Dynamic MiscibilityCritical Tie Line1-Vaporizing Gas Drive Process2-Condensing Gas Drive Process

Miscible Gas Injection

Vaporizing Gas Drive Miscibility Mechanism

(P,T)

Vaporizing Gas Drive ProcessAs long as the reservoir oil composition lies on, or to the right of, the limiting tie line, miscibility with a gas that has a composition lying to the left of the limiting tie line can be achieved by the vaporizing gas drive process.

Additional MaterialsPETE 609 (Enhanced Oil Recovery Methods) Graduate class in Petroleum Engineering Texas A&M University