Numerical Study of Enhanced Oil Recovery When Polymer is Injected into an Oil Reservoir

This integrated reservoir simulation study, conducted using Schlumberger's ECLIPSE software, systematically evaluates enhanced oil recovery (EOR) strategies for a clastic oil reservoir, with particular innovation in assessing the potential of polymer injection. The methodology involved comparative simulation of three development scenarios: natural depletion, water flooding, and standalone polymer flooding. Under natural depletion, rapid pressure declines limited recovery to ۲۵% over ۵,۰۰۰ days due to inefficient displacement mechanisms. Water injection doubled recovery to ۵۵% through pressure maintenance but exhibited water breakthrough at ۳,۰۰۰ days from unfavorable mobility ratios. Polymer flooding increased recovery to ۶۵% by improving mobility control and delaying breakthrough.

Keywords:

Polymer injection , Enhanced oil recovery , Oil reservoir , Water injection , Reservoir simulation