Description

Join SPE Tuesday, October 20, 2026. 11:30 am Lunch; talk begins at 12pm. At Summit Petroleum's Offices for an engaging lunch regarding Enhanced Oil Recovery by Johannes Alvarez. Abstract: Unconventional reservoirs development depends on primary depletion, which uses the initial reservoir energy to produce hydrocarbons through complex fracture networks. Production results in high initial fluid rates that quickly drop and stabilize at low levels. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technologies can improve unconventional well recovery, lower base decline, and prolong the life of these fields. This presentation contrasts conventional and unconventional EOR and describes lab observations, recovery mechanisms as well as workflows, surveillance, and results for developing and field-testing two EOR technologies in unconventional reservoirs. The first field case is the use of surfactants in existing horizontal wells. Chemical EOR is a technique that boosts oil recovery by injecting chemicals that alter the interactions between fluids and rocks. It has been widely used in conventional reservoirs, but it is challenging and needs careful design and execution to apply it in unconventional reservoirs. The second field case is a hydrocarbon gas EOR application under a huff and puff scheme. Gas EOR is a technique that targets the oil that stays in the depleted formations that cannot be produced due to low energy. It recharges the unconventional reservoir by decreasing oil viscosity and helping oil swelling. In both field cases, various analysis techniques, including analytical methods and tracer responses, are combined with production and productivity index to provide an integrated interpretation. Lab and field results confirmed the main recovery mechanisms with measurable EOR responses. This presentation offers valuable insights and lessons learned for the use of chemical and gas EOR in unconventional reservoirs and suggests future directions and opportunities for further improvement. The key message Dr. Alvarez wants to share with SPE members in this lecture is that EOR technologies can increase recovery factors in unconventional reservoirs, but they are different from conventional reservoirs in terms of methods, application, and timing, because of the complex petrophysical characteristics and recovery mechanisms of unconventional reservoirs. 

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