A Microbial-enhanced Oil Recovery Trial in Huabei Oilfield in China

摘要

This study discusses microbial-enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) application in Unit Jian-12 in Huabei Oilfield, China. The pilot field was a heavy oil reservoir (50℃, 204 mP.s) with high temperature (75.6℃). Unit Jian-12 was undergoing a waterflooding pattern; however, ordinary waterflooding no longer recovered residual oil efficiently that the MEOR method was strongly recommended in the stripper wells in the unit. A series of laboratory studies was conducted prior to the pilot test. The selected microbial consortia exhibited a positive effect on enhanced oil recovery and potential for application. A two-cycle trial was conducted and the production performance of the unit was monitored. The characteristics of crude oil were modified by biodegradation and the fluidity was improved. The residual oil in the formation was stimulated by the metabolic activities and metabolites, which greatly enhanced the displacement efficiency. In addition, an injection profile improvement was also observed in one injector (J 12-14) after the trial, indicating that the MEOR method could improve the heterogeneity of the reservoir and enhance the sweep efficiency. The results in this study were of academic and theoretic significance to microbial-enhanced oil recovery applications in heavy oil reservoirs.