Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)Nitrogen Injection

Enzyme Technology

After years of production, oil wells lose their energy to drive oil to the well bore as quickly and efficiently as when they were new. There are various processes that can be used to increase that primary drive.

EOR basically refers to the recovery of oil by any method beyond the primary stage of production. It is defined as the production of crude oil from reservoirs through processes taken to increase the primary reservoir drive.

The ideal EOR processes for our program are nitrogen injection by a process called Huff and Puff; and, Enzyme stimulation.

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)

Nitrogen Huff and Puff

Huff and Puff Secondary Oil Recovery Process

The Schlumberger Glossary Definition for Huff and Puff:

Slang term for a cyclic process in which a well is injectedwith a recovery enhancement fluid and, after a soakperiod, the well is put back on production.

In our program, Nitrogen is used as the enhancementfluid. The process begins by the producing well beingshut-in. Nitrogen is injected down through the well to theformation. The well is shut-in for a predetermined time tosoak the formation. The well is then placed on productionand additional hydrocarbons are produced back from thesame well where nitrogen was injected.

NitrogenInjection

SoakFormation

ProduceOil

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3

Benefits of Using Nitrogen for EOR

During the treatment phase, nitrogenremains in gaseous form and does notdissolve in oil or water enabling it to gofurther into the well drainage area.

During the treatment soaking, andproduction phases, nitrogen easily dissipatesinto the well drainage area. Nitrogen assiststo release and push oil towards the wellperforations during the production of oil.

Established track record of success,simple, effective, and inexpensive system

Operational Benefits

Generate Nitrogen on siteCost-effectiveNon-corrosiveMiscible, mixes easily with all fluidsInert gas making it easy to compressHighly available from the airEnvironmentally friendly

Field Objectives and Past Results

Huff and Puff is ideal for all types of oil reservoirs, including pressure depleted, low and high permeabilityreservoirs.

The Huff and Puff process, utilizing nitrogen gas, has shown a four-fold or better increase in oil production withonly a slight increase in water production.

Oil production increases have been sustained for many years.

Program Objective Reservoirs

Enzyme Technology

Mississippi ReefYoung Co., Texas5100’ in Depth

Initial Production 200 BOPD

Strawn SandYoung Co., Texas3200’ in Depth

Initial Production 60 BOPD

Core Samples Extracted from the Oil Formation during Drilling

Vast Amounts of Oil Left Behind

Oil reservoirs can hold an unbelievable amountof oil and gas, mainly because they are under alot of pounds per square inch of pressure. Asthe pressure declines over time, the formationoften becomes damaged and the well does notproduce to its optimal performance.

Enzymes can effectively assist the reservoir torelease trapped oil, increase mobility of the oil,and add additional oil that probably wouldhave been left unproduced.

The average primary recovery rate is around15-20% of the original oil in place. Much of theremaining oil can be economically producedusing a lower cost enhancement process suchas Enzyme formation stimulation, which canalso be used in conjunction with NitrogenInjection.

(Herzfeld Discovery Well)

How are Enzymes Made?

Through fermentation, enzymes can be produced forindustrial purposes. The recipe for enzymes can vary forthe purpose of their intended use. Oil field enzymes areusually produced by a proprietary process which involvesmixing a high protein nutrient base with the DNA ofselectively cultured microbes. The final product containsenzymes designed to change the nature of the trappedoil’s environment; and, to instantly begin the release ofhydrocarbons, as well as, wax and asphaltene which canform, build, and clog formations over time.

Enzymes Go Through the Same Manufacture Process as Beer.

Oil AdheresTo Porous Surface

IntroductionOf Enzyme

Surface-WettedOil Released

Pumping the Enzyme Solution into a Producing Oil Well

Ron Herzfeld

Oil is released from the formation reservoir

and is pumped to the surface.