Title : Screening and optimization of ASP flooding techniques in oil reservoirs: A simulation-based approach
Abstract:
This study investigates the application of Alkaline–Surfactant–Polymer (ASP) flooding as an Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technique for improving oil recovery efficiency in mature reservoirs. ASP flooding enhances conventional polymer flooding by incorporating alkaline and surfactant agents, which reduce interfacial tension, improve sweep efficiency, and support mobility control. Comprehensive geological, petrophysical, fluid, and economic data were collected for the target reservoir. Screening criteria were applied to identify the most suitable EOR method under the given reservoir conditions. Reservoir modeling and simulation were conducted using Petrel and Eclipse software to evaluate multiple EOR scenarios and injection strategies.
Screening results indicated that polymer flooding provided the highest recovery potential for the studied reservoir. However, the increased injection pressure associated with polymer injection may lead to formation fracturing or reduced injectivity. To mitigate these challenges, a staged injection strategy is proposed. Initially, surfactant injection is recommended to reduce capillary forces and lower injection pressure, followed by alkaline injection to reduce viscous fingering and improve vertical sweep efficiency. Different well injection patterns were also evaluated, including 5-spot, 7-spot, and 9-spot configurations. Simulation results demonstrated that the 7-spot pattern achieved the highest cumulative oil production compared with the other patterns.
Overall, this study demonstrates a comprehensive methodology for evaluating and optimizing ASP flooding processes through advanced reservoir simulation and screening techniques. The proposed staged injection approach offers a practical solution for improving recovery efficiency while minimizing injection-related challenges.
