Investigation of the Conditions Required for Improved Oil Recovery by an Earthquake

Abstract

Summary This study aims to clarify a phenomenological relationship between earthquakes and temporarily improved oil recovery for a small oil field located in a seismically active region of Japan. Our study concludes that the conditions required for an earthquake to temporarily improve oil recovery in this field are as follows: An earthquake with a seismic intensity of at least 3 hits the well. The well experiences a decline in productivity, with a flowing wellhead pressure of less than 690 kPaa (100 psia). The corresponding skin factor lies within the range of 18 to 40. The well is producing oil from a reservoir.