From Pilot to Commercial Expansion of Polymer Flooding: a Case Study from the Tambaredjo Oilfield

Abstract

One of the Strategic goals of Staatsolie is to increase proven oil reserves. Next to exploration, implementation of IOR/ EOR technology is another manner to achieve this goal. After a screening and prefeasibility study, a polymer flooding pilot project has been initiated in the Tambaredjo oil field in September 2008. The pilot started with one injection well and was subsequently expanded to three injection wells and nine producers (inverted 5 spot pattern). In 2017 a numerical simulation study was initiated to model the pilot performance as well as polymer injection forecasts into an expanded area, with the aim to shift to commercial expansion. Various challenges were experienced during modeling of the pilot performance, especially due to reservoir heterogeneity, the unconfined character of the pattern and the role of fractures during injection. Ultimately, expansion of polymer injection has shown to be commercial and Staatsolie is currently preparing for implementation of this technology where first commercial injection will start in mid-2020.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90361 © 2019 AAPG Latin America & Caribbean Region Geosciences Technology Workshop, Recent Discoveries and Exploration and Development Opportunities in the Guiana Basin, Paramaribo, Suriname, November 6-7, 2019