Increasing recovery
Posted: 18 June 2007
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With global demand for energy rising fast, the oil and gas industry is increasingly turning to technology to maximise production from oil fields.
“While alternative energy forms and non-conventional hydrocarbons such as heavy oil, tar sands and oil shales may go some way to meeting demand over the coming decades, the world will continue to rely on conventional oil for much its energy needs,” according to Dr Andrew Brayshaw, director of technology for BP Middle East and South Asia.
“We know there are significant reserves still out there that can help meet this rising demand. This will be more difficult oil than in the past, but thanks to significant advances in oilfield technology we are increasingly able to optimise production from mature oilfields.”
Typical recovery factors – how much of the oil in a reservoir can be extracted - currently stand at 35%. This can be increased to over 65% through the use of innovative technologies and enhanced oil recovery techniques. |
