Abstract: Incremental Ultimate Recovery from Known Fields by Enhanced Recovery Methods

L. W. Thrasher

This paper is based on the report, Enhanced Oil Recovery, December 1976, prepared by the National Petroleum Council. Estimates of incremental ultimate recovery and potential producing rate are shown for known U.S. oil fields. Production from future oil discoveries or from natural gas reservoirs is not considered. The most promising enhanced recovery processes and the study methodology are described briefly. Comments are made on the strong influence that good geologic description has on the successful application of these experimental enhanced recovery processes. The influence of government policy is discussed briefly.