Learnings from the Planning and Execution of a Heavy Oil Polymer Flood Pilot in North Saskatchewan, Canada

Abstract

AbstractThe oil recovery in Section 14-50-25W3 (province of Saskatchewan, Canada) has evolved through multiple stages as technology has changed over time. Oil was initially produced through vertical wells beginning in the early 1970s. In the 2010s horizontal drilling was established and the Lloydminster sandstone formation was produced on primary with horizontal wells. In 2014 the secondary waterflooding was implemented. At the beginning of 2018 a tertiary polymer flood was implemented and is still running (year 2022). Along the past several years three different injection fluid viscosities were injected.The discussion centers on the water and polymer flood displacement process performance and its implications for wells operation and economics.Performance to date is discussed in detail and learnings and future steps are presented in the conclusions.