Numerical studies on the effects of various complicated barrier configurations on sweep efficiency in surfactant/polymer flooding

The effects of impermeable shale barriers on the performances of surfactant flooding and surfactant-polymer (SP) flooding are studied through numerical simulation by CMG (STARS) software. The barriers are assumed to exist in various configurations in a quarter five-spot pattern either by changing the location and size of a single barrier or by altering the number of barriers existing between two wells. The results show that small-type barriers exhibit positive effect on the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process in surfactant flooding. In contrast, oil production is affected adversely in SP flooding when barriers are present in any types of configuration.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide