IEA Collaborative Project on EOR: 24 th Annual Workshop and Symposium, September 2003, Regina , Canada

The 24 th annual workshop and symposium of the International Energy Agency (IEA) collaborative project on EOR took place during September 2003 in Regina , Saskatchewan , Canada . David Hughes from RML, who along with Tissa Jayasekera, DTI, Eugene Balbinski, ECL Technology and Ginevra DiDonata, Imperial College represented the UK, presents a brief overview.

Around 80 delegates spent an enjoyable three days in Regina discussing the latest developments in EOR.

Delegates to the 24 th Annual Workshop and Symposium of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Collaborative Project on EOR

During the first two days (Workshop) papers were presented covering the following task areas:

• Task A: Studies of Fluids and Interfaces in Porous Media
• Task B: Fundamental Research on Surfactants and Polymers
• Task C: Development of Gas Flooding Techniques
• Task D: Thermal Recovery
• Task E: Dynamic Reservoir Characterization
• Task F: Emerging Technologies

On the third day (Symposium) papers were presented on the subject of CO2 Geological Storage.

Programme

To view the full programme - click here . Written papers and/or presentation are available for most of the programme items - the UK contributed papers are clickable below - for contributions from other countries please contact the relevant country delegate (http://www.iea.org/eor/exe.htm).

• Paper A2 Relative Permeabilities for Post-Waterflood Depressurisation, M. Goodfield and T. Jayasekera; ECL Technology Ltd., U.K. ; U.K. Dept. of Trade and Industry
• Paper A4 Assessment of Three-Phase Relative Permeability Models Using Laboratory Hysteresis Data, D. Element, J. Masters, N. Sargent and T. Jayasekera; ECL Technology Ltd. U.K.; U.K. Dept. of Trade and Industry
• Paper F2 Revival of Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) Initiatives on UK Continental Shelf, D. Hughes, Senergy Ltd. Aberdeen , U.K.
• Paper F6 Streamline-Based Dual Porosity Simulation of Fractured Reservoirs, G.Di Donato, W. Huang , M.J. Blunt, Imperial College , U.K.
• Paper S3 Potential for Geological Storage and EOR from CO2 Injection into UKCS Oilfields, E. Balbinski, M. Goodfield, T. Jayasekera, C. Woods; ECL Technology Ltd., U.K.; United Kingdom

Ginevra DiDonata from Imperial College Presents Her Paper on Streamline-Based Dual Porosity Simulation of Fractured Reservoirs

Keynote Address

In a keynote address at the start of the workshop, George Stosur, retired manager of EOR for the US Department of Energy and former chair of the IEA EOR implementing committee looked back over the 24 years that the Workshops and Seminars have been held. He claimed that EOR had not lived up to its expectations; research programmes had collapsed - companies had phased out long term R&D. Nevertheless EOR production could amount to as much as 12% of the total world supply of oil in 30 to 35 years time. If this were the case daily EOR production would exceed current North Sea production and not be far short of current Saudi Arabia production. These projections are conservative if the potential additional production from extra-heavy oil from Venezuela and Canadian tar sands is taken into account. But he reminded delegates that projections of EOR production had not been particularly robust in the past.

For the future, he saw thermal recovery methods and CO2 injection (with the added benefit of CO2 capture) being the leading EOR methods. Synergies with advanced drilling techniques would also benefit EOR.

George Stosur (right), Retired Manager of EOR for the US Department of Energy and Former Chair of the IEA EOR Implementing Committee, Being Presented with a Gift by Bruce Stewart, 2003 Committee Chairman, to Mark George's Distinguished Contribution to the IEA Collaborative Project on EOR Over the Last 24 years

Questions

"Stars" of the meeting in terms of their contributions, particularly in the number of questions asked, were Bill Brigham (Stanford), József Pápay (MOL, Hungary), Jerry Shaw (APA Petroleum Engineering, Calgary), Klaus Potsch (OMV, Austria) and Alex Turta (ARC, Calgary). Between them they probably asked 90% of the questions.

Bill Brigham Looks Back Over Analytical Work Undertaken Two Decades Ago That Might Have Relevance Today When Assessing the Designs of EOR Pilot Floods

Social Events

Two social events were organised for delegates. On the first evening a barbeque was held at the University of Regina . The supper was arranged by Merv's Pitchfork Fondue "a unique Saskatchewan concept in catering"!. Entertainment was provided by famous Saskatchewan Metis Fiddler John Arcand and his group. On the second evening a formal dinner was held at Government House. The University of Regina Conservatory of Performing Arts Quartet gave a recital during pre-dinner drinks, and Dr Greg Marchildon, Economic History Professor at the University of Regina , spoke after dinner about the early trade history of Saskatchewan 's northern settlements.

A Pitchfork-Full of Rib Eye Steaks Gets the Merv Treatment

Formal Dinner Held at Government House

Committee Meeting

Following the completion of the Workshop and Seminar, the Committee took the opportunity to hold their annual meeting. For 2004 the Chairman will be Anna Inger Eide from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate and the 25 th Annual Workshop and Seminar will be hosted by Norway .

IEA Collaborative Project on EOR - Committee: (From Left) Back Row - Jacek Podkanski (IEA Secretariat), Anna Inger Eide (Norway), Betty Felber (US), Klaus Potsch (Austria), Han Dong (China), Dragutin Domitrovic (Croatia - observer). Front Row - Stephen LePoidevin (Australia), Bruce Stewart (Canada), Yann LeGallo (France), Roland LeNormand (France), Kenji Ono (Japan), Tissa Jayasekera (UK) - missing from photo Erling Stenby (Denmark)

Visit to Weyburn

Following completion of the Workshop and Seminar delegates were offered the opportunity to visit the Weyburn CO2 EOR Project - click here to read detailed report of visit .

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