Methods for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Fundamentals and Practice

by Baghir A. Suleimanov, Elchin F. Veliyev

Overview

An authoritative theoretical explanation of enhanced oil recovery combined with practical, “how-to” instructions on the real-world implementation of EOR

In Methods for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Fundamentals and Practice, a team of distinguished researchers delivers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the rapidly evolving field of enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The authors dive deep into the granular details of petroleum geology, hydrocarbon classification, and oil reserve assessment, while also explaining a variety of EOR techniques, like thermal, chemical, gas injection, and microbial approaches.

The book is heavily focused on advanced methods of EOR with accompanying analyses of contemporary techniques. It includes innovative new approaches to the discipline, presenting each method with a theoretical background and practical guidelines for implementation in the field. Readers will also find specific coverage of the criteria they should use to select appropriate EOR methods for specific reservoirs and the technological processes necessary to implement these methods in operational settings.

Inside the book:

• A thorough introduction to the laboratory evaluation of oil-bearing rock properties
• Contemporary case studies from oil fields in a variety of regions that illustrate the benefits and challenges of implementing EOR technologies
• Practical discussions of the economic implications of EOR methods
• Complete treatments of fundamental reservoir engineering concepts

Perfect for students of petroleum engineering, Methods for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Fundamentals and Practice will also benefit practicing petroleum engineers seeking a solid theoretical foundation into EOR combined with real-world, practical insights they can apply immediately.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783527354160
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	09/29/2025
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	6.69(w) x 9.61(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

Baghir A. Suleimanov, PhD, Deputy Director of the Oil-Gas Scientific Research and Project Institute of SOCAR, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, and Corresponding Member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. He delivers lectures and supervises postgraduate and PhD students in the field of petroleum engineering. Prof. Suleimanov is the author of over 200 scientific publications, 2 monographs, 4 textbooks, and holds 118 patents. He has successfully supervised 26 PhD students and 9 Doctors of Sciences. He has been recognized in the list of the world’s top 2% most influential scientists, compiled by Stanford University.

Elchin F. Veliyev, PhD, Manager of the Laboratory of Analytical Researches at the Oil-Gas Scientific Research and Project Institute of SOCAR. Dr. Veliyev lectures and supervises postgraduate and PhD students in petroleum engineering. He is the author of 85 scientific papers, 3 monographs, and 4 textbooks, and holds 6 patents. He has been included in the list of the world’s top 2% most influential scientists, compiled by Stanford University.

Table of Contents

Preface xv

Introduction xvii

1 Basic Concepts in Reservoir Engineering 1

1.1 Rocks and Their Types 1

1.2 Forms of Occurrence of Sedimentary Rocks 5

1.3 Hydrocarbon Reservoirs 6

1.4 Oil and Gas Traps 7

1.5 Rock Porosity 9

1.6 Rock Permeability 14

1.7 Geological Heterogeneity of Rocks 18

1.8 Saturations 19

1.9 Resistivity 23

1.10 Capillary Pressure 27

1.11 Types of Reservoir Fluids 36

2 Fluid Flow in Porous Media 41

2.1 Introduction 41

2.2 Applications of Darcy’s Law 42

2.3 Differential Equations for Fluid Flow 50

2.4 Steady-state Flow 54

2.5 Basic Solutions of the Constant Terminal Rate Case for Radial Models 55

2.6 The Constant Terminal Pressure Solution 76

2.7 Superposition 76

2.8 Ideal Gas Flow 86

3 Classification of Hydrocarbons and Oil Reserves 89

3.1 Common Classification of Hydrocarbons 89

3.2 Classification of Oil Reserves 90

3.3 Oil Recovery Factor 93

3.4 SPE/WPC/AAPG Classification of Reserves 93

3.5 Russian Classification of Reserves 103

3.6 The United Nations Framework Classification for Resources 105

4 Oil Recovery Methods 113

4.1 Introduction 113

4.2 Primary Recovery 113

4.3 Secondary Recovery 113

4.4 Tertiary Recovery 117

4.5 Sweep Efficiency 120

5 Thermal Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) 123

5.1 Introduction 123

5.2 Steam Injection 123

5.3 In situ Combustion 131

6 Gas Flooding 143

6.1 Introduction 143

6.2 Injection of Hydrocarbon Gases 145

6.3 Nitrogen Injection 157

6.4 CO2 Injection 167

6.5 Water-Gas Impact on the Formation 180

7 Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) 197

7.1 Introduction 197

7.2 Polymer Flooding 198

7.3 Micellar-polymer Flooding 205

7.4 Alkaline Flooding 214

8 Microbial EOR 225

8.1 Introduction 225

8.2 Introduction to Microorganisms in MEOR 225

8.3 Process Mechanism of MEOR 237

8.4 Applicability Criteria 241

8.5 Field Implementations 242

8.6 Implementation Technology 243

9 Forefront EOR 245

9.1 Introduction 245

9.2 In Depth Fluid Diversion 245

9.3 Injection of Low-salinity Water 256

9.4 High Pressure Air Injection 261

9.5 Overview of Organic Oil Recovery Methods 268

10 Practical Implementation of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) 281

10.1 Screening Assessment 281

10.2 Phase Behavior of Formation Fluids and Core Analysis 284

10.3 EOR Simulation 286

10.4 Implementation of EOR 294

10.5 Technology Readiness Level 297

11 Laboratory Evaluation of Oil-bearing Rock Properties 301

11.1 Introduction 301

11.2 Granulometric Composition of Rock 301

11.3 Determining the Density of Rocks 302

11.4 Determining the Carbonate Content of Rocks 310

11.5 Collector Properties 315

11.6 Porosity Measurements 316

11.7 Wettability and Wettability Tests 332

11.8 Interfacial Tension 356

11.9 Steady-State Permeability Measurements 361

11.10 Unsteady-state Permeability Measurements 366

11.11 Steady-State Liquid (Absolute) Permeability Measurements 371

12 Economic Assessment of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) 377

12.1 Introduction 377

12.2 Determining the Optimal Time to Start EOR 377

12.3 Technological Efficiency of EOR 378

12.4 Economic Efficiency of EOR 380

Index 393