Enhanced Oil Recovery Method for Highly Viscous Oil Reservoirs Based on In-Situ Modification of Physico-Chemical Properties

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been a significant and ongoing increase in the demand for hydrocarbons, notably oil. According to OPEC, this demand is projected to rise by 16.4 million barrels per day by 2040. In comparison, the daily hydrocarbon consumption, which stood at 99.2 million barrels in 2021, is expected to surge to 109.4 million barrels per day by 2040 [1]. This escalating demand presents a unique set of challenges for oil-exporting nations. The conventional exploitation of light oil fields falls short in addressing these challenges. Researchers continually strive to meet the escalating demand for hydrocarbon energy sources through innovative field exploitation and development methods [2-6]. However, despite the promise of these technologies, they do not offer comprehensive solutions [7-13]. Consequently, enhancing the efficiency of heavy oil field development emerges as the most pragmatic alternative [14-15]. Heavy oil, characterized by a density of 20°API or lower and a viscosity exceeding 100 mPa*s, owes its properties to the elevated concentration of tar-asphaltene components. Developing heavy oil fields is considerably more complex compared to light oil fields due to these distinctive characteristics [16-21]. Additionally, the methods to boost oil production from heavy oil reservoirs are limited.