SPE-190426-MS

Chemical EOR in a Strong Aquifer Driven Reservoir: From Concept towards

Reality

Sanhita Tiwari, Fahad AL-Mutairi, Abdul-aziz Al-Dhuwaihi, and Moudi Al-Ajmi, Kuwait Oil Company

Copyright 2018, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE EOR Conference at Oil and Gas West Asia held in Muscat, Oman, 26-28 March 2018.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
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Abstract
North Kuwait has vision to increase oil production from its major reservoir and it is planned to be achieved
by covering the major reservoirs under the umbrella of enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Sabiriyah Lower
Burgan (SALB) is the biggest sandstone reservoir in Sabiriyah field with high permeability and strong
aquifer support. Paper describes steps planned from present development strategy of simply infill drilling
to EOR to improve the production scenario in future.
Primary recovery from reservoirs like SALB are expected to be good. Performance of the reservoir
especially rise in water cut of SALB was analyzed which suggested that though primary recovery would
be good but will take longer time to achieve. EOR screening was performed and suitable EOR methods
were evaluated using mechanistic model. Screening considered target oil, water quality, permeability, oil
viscosity, temperature, aquifer and injection capacity. Lab experiments were performed for the identified
EOR processes and most suitable method was selected. EOR pilot area and pilot design performed to take
it forward from concept stage towards reality.
SALB Layered part is an acceptable candidate for EOR process due to favorable mobility ratio which
reduces the need for mobility control agents, reservoir being mixed wet system which is encouraging
for improving unit displacement efficiency and reservoir rock properties are conducive to most forms of
EOR. Low salinity water, CO2, N2 and Chemical EOR methods were evaluated. Mechanistic model based
Estimated Recovery factor range for these EOR methods indicated Chemical EOR, (A) SP as most effective
EOR method. Lab experiments were performed for CO2, N2 and ASP. In Lab, miscible N2 flooding was
not found feasible whereas CO2 flooding was feasible for either as CO2 or a blend of CO2/NGL. Coreflood
experiments suggested surfactant-polymer or alkaline-surfactant-polymer pilot flood as promising EOR
methods for SALB. KOC has planned to proceed with Chemical EOR with its further evaluation through
single well chemical tracer test (SWCTT) as first step. A multi-well pilot was also recommended assuming
a successful single wells tracer test which would provide a better understanding of chemical solution
injectivity, oil recovery potential, chemical retention by the reservoir, effect of the water drive on alkaline-
surfactant-polymer flood potential and operational issues. Target layer and likely area was identified for
EOR pilot.
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EOR in a reservoir with strong aquifer drive has its own challenges but merits of SALB for enhancement
of recovery are encouraging. The paper provides an insight of applicability of Chemical EOR in a large
reservoir with strong aquifer that will pave the way for similar reservoirs in Kuwait and worldwide.

North Kuwait Asset-EOR Vision

North Kuwait (NK) Asset has two main fields, Raudhatain and Sabiriyah. There are seven major reservoirs
with in these two fields. These reservoirs include clastic as well as carbonate formations.

Figure 1—North Kuwait Field and major reservoirs

Presently oil production from North Kuwait reservoirs is through secondary recovery methods (water
flooding) or through primary recovery mechanism from reservoirs with strong aquifer support. KOC has
strategic production targets under company's 2030 vision. It is also gearing up for 2040 vision where
enhancement of present activities are envisaged. These long-term production plans would have significant
contribution from EOR methods. In future, Raudhatain and Sabiriyah fields of North Kuwait will provide
major contribution from EOR. Till date, five out of the seven major reservoirs have active EOR projects. In
order to implement suitable EOR process, the reservoirs are expected to go through the broadly five phases:
(1) Selection: Feasibility Study & Pilot Design, (2) Define: Pre-Pilot Activities, (3) Pilot execution, (4) Pre-
Large Field Expansion Activities and (5) Large/Field Expansion Operation. Two of the NK EOR projects
are at the implementation stage, EOR feasibility and pilot design is completed for other two reservoirs, and
EOR study of the fifth reservoir has commenced.

Introduction of SALB Reservoir

Lower Burgan (SALB) reservoir is a giant multi layered sandstone reservoir in Sabiriyah field of North
Kuwait which was discovered in 1957. First commercial production from this reservoir started in 1964. This
reservoir is operating under strong active aquifer which is bottom water as well as edge water. SALB is the
second largest reservoir in Sabiriyah field and therefore plays a major role in meeting current production
target.
SPE-190426-MS 3

Geology
Lower Burgan comprises a broadly transgressive succession of paralic clastic sediments. Fluvial processes
dominate in the lower part of the formation; influences from marine processes became stronger upwards.
The reservoir architecture was defined by the depositional processes, which were mainly channel processes.
The internal make-up of these channels depended on the relative degree of marine influence, and they range
from fully fluvial channels, through deltaic channels, tidally influenced channels, and more marine estuarine
channel fills.
Sequence stratigraphy is used as main basis for layering scheme of this reservoir. Based on reservoir
pressure and flow behavior, lower Burgan reservoir has been divided into as many as thirteen layers/flow
units.

Figure 2—Lower Burgan layer scheme

Based on sedimentalogical and pressure studies, the lower Burgan reservoir has been subdivided into
Massive (LBM) sand which produces through bottom water drive and Layered (LBL) sand that experiences
largely lateral edge water drive. The M sand forming lower unit of the reservoir is composed of high quality
sand and has produced most of its reserves. The overlying L member has very good to relatively poorer
quality of sand and contains the majority of remaining reserves to be produced from the reservoir.

Table 1—Average Reservoir properties of SALB

Properties Layered Massive

Porosity 20 to 24% 22 to 25%

Permeability 500 md to 1 D 1.5 D to 2 D

Net/Gross .5 to .6 .7 to .95
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Reservoir Fluid Description

From the basic reservoir engineering study it was concluded that one unique fluid exists in SALB so that the
same fluids properties are defined in LBL and LBM. A trend has been established for bubble point versus
depth. On average the bubble point versus depth gradient is ~ 1.4 psia/ft. This trend agrees very well with
the trend found in the analogus Raudhatain Lower Burgan reservoir.

Figure 3—Composition of SALB oil

Figure 4—Variation of Pb vs Depth in SALB

Rock Properties
Four rock types characterize SALB and they are named as ‘Clean Sandstone’, ‘Very porous clean
Sandstone’, ‘Alternating Sand/Shale’ and ‘Shale’. Sorw is the most critical parameter for EOR. The best
relationship was identified while plotting Sorw versus hydraulic parameters, viz. RQI for SALB as shown
in Figure 5. Since RALB and SALB are analogues reservoirs therefore RALB data was also used for
identifying the trend.
SPE-190426-MS 5

Figure 5—SALB Sorw Data and Trend per Rock Type

Reservoir Performance of SALB

The production history of SALB is more than 50 years. First production from Sabiriyah Lower Burgan
reservoir started in August 1964. Production remained very limited between 1964 and 1970 as it consisted
in sporadic production of only 9 wells. In 1971 peak production of more tham 200 M Bopd was achieved.
Water breakthrough in wells was observed from 1986 onwards. Since then, to maintain the oil rate from
this reservoir, significant number of wells were added. With time, water production from this reservoir is
on rising trend.

Figure 6—SALB Production Performance

Average water of SALB reservoir is around 55%. Water has moved to most part of the reservoir now
and this is very clear from the Figure 6.
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Figure 7—Water-cut in SALB wells with time

Initial wells were mostly drilled in crestal part and completed in LBM. At present most of wells are
completed in LBL. The water behavior of wells show that aquifer water has reached equally in most part
of the reservoir.

Development strategy
Initial Development Strategy
Initially SALB was developed with following premises

• Wells to be drilled away from the OWC or field boundary; which is the prime reason of dry oil
production in initial phase
• LBM sand, due to good reservoir quality and productivity, identified to be the primary target of
development.
• Complete dually wherever LBL and LBM sand found together to minimize cost

• Maximize dry oil production and avoid/delay water production as far as possible considering
surface facility constraints
• Recomplete the well when particular sand or its portion becomes wet or alternatively carryout the
water shut-off job.
• Implement infill drilling to sustain dry oil production.

Current Development Strategy

Considering the fact that most of the LBM sand reserves are exploited, the strategy for development of the
LBL sands is under implementation

• Drilling of infill wells (high angle deviated/horizontal) to tap the bypass oil in LBL and LBM

• Development of tight Siderite layer by drilling horizontal wells

• Maximize sweep efficiency by allowing production of wells/zones with high water-cut

• Produce high water-cut wells through ESP

• Acquire regularly PNL and PLT data in identified wells to firm up the bypassed oil pockets.

• Use full field model to identify areas of unexploited oil and plan future oil production scenarios
SPE-190426-MS 7

• Identify a viable EOR process and initiate steps for its implementation

EOR Activities for SALB

NK EOR studies conducted in year 2006 (Moudi et. al.) concluded that very limited number of lab work
had been conducted in KOC with 80% of it in North Kuwait Asset. These "Gasflood" experiments included
(1) Swelling tests, (2) Slim-tube tests, (3) and Composite core immiscible tertiary Gasflood. EOR screening
studies were undertaken to help focus attention on NK fields (mainly Sabiriyah and Raudhatain) and the
EOR methods which look most promising and warrant further study. The main conclusion of this initial
EOR Screening study was that only GAS INJECTION is the suitable EOR option for NK light oil reservoirs
(particularly MA, ZU, LB, and UB reservoirs in RA and SA fields), therefore, the study was focusing on
this option. The injectant gases considered were pure and impure CO2, N2, and hydrocarbon gases. This
study was the first to define a comprehensive EOR lab studies in a systematic manner to assess the EOR
potential in NK.
As per the EOR timeline for all major reservoir of NK, SALB was initiated in July 2015.

Figure 8—SALB EOR Project Activities and Milestones

EOR Screening Study of SALB

The objective of this study was to investigate the reservoir characteristics of the Sabriyah field and to
evaluate the potential feasibility of aqueous and gas forms of EOR technologies. There are two main
component of the study:
1. Review of Reservoir to identify the main challenges and risks of applying different EOR technologies
to Sabiriyah and recommend if identified technologies should be studied for field application.
2. Evaluation of the potential incremental oil recovery to address the range of incremental recovery that
could be expected from successful field implementation of the various EOR technology types
ASP/SP and CO2 EOR technologies showed potential at producing sufficient incremental oil and be
potentially economic. The current best estimate for effective pore volume to implement either of these
technologies is 904 MMBBL, which is a portion of the SALB layered.
The strategic timing selected to study and implement EOR technologies ensures highest probability of
economic success. If the Sabriyah reservoir were near residual conditions, no present EOR technology could
be economically implemented. Current average oil saturation is approximately 59%, which represents a
8 SPE-190426-MS

significant target oil. Sabriyah Layered was found to be an acceptable candidate for EOR technologies for
the following reasons:

• Favorable mobility ratio reduces the need for mobility control agents.

• Reservoir appears to be a mixed wet system which is encouraging for improving unit displacement
efficiency.
• Reservoir rock properties (porosity and permeability) are conducive to all forms of EOR.

The principal disadvantages to applying EOR technologies in the Layered portion of the Sabriyah field
are:

• Available water for mixing chemicals or low salinity waterflooding is of concern due to its salinity
which ranges between 243,000 mg/L TDS for reservoir water and ~50,000 mg/L TDS for sea water.
Ideal water quality for chemical EOR is less than 10,000 mg/L TDS and low salinity water flooding
is typically applied with water no greater than 5,000 mg/L TDS.
• Presence of a strong lateral aquifer, which provides excellent volumetric sweep efficiency of the
entire reservoir. The reservoir is in need of limited pressure support. EOR implementation is only
applied to portions of the reservoir that are economically viable and will be much less than the
pore volume affected by the aquifer.
• EOR technologies that do not improve the unit displacement efficiency (ED) are poor candidates
for the both the LBM and the LBL.
Presently, Sabriyah Massive sand (LBM) was not recommended for any type of EOR implementation.
Immiscible nitrogen injection could be a potential candidate but economically is not recommended due to
high cost of field preparation and low residual oil saturations in it.
Following are common concerns with various applications of EOR technologies in SALB:
Low Salinity Waterflood:

• Low salinity (500-5,000 mg/L TDS) water source availability and relatively high costs of high
salinity water treatment.
• Without adequate reservoir conditions, such as sufficient Kaolinite content, and an oil wet system,
technology will not improve ED.
Chemical flooding:

• Produced polymer can react with non-coated steel flow lines and tubulars resulting in metal
corrosion and well work over procedures.
• Produced alkali can result in scale formation.

• Oil/water separation can be more difficult due to produced surfactant forming an emulsion, and
increased aqueous phase viscosity due to polymer.
CO2 injection:

• CO2 reacts with non-coated steel flow lines and tubulars resulting in metal corrosion and well
work over procedures.
• Contamination of hydrocarbon stream, requires additional separation at the production facilities,
and compression equipment for reinjection.
• Conformance issues due to density difference results in gas override which reduces recovery
efficiency and increases gas compression costs
SPE-190426-MS 9

Nitrogen injection:

• Plant construction to generate gas is expensive.

• Contamination of hydrocarbon stream.

• Gas override reduces recovery efficiency and increases gas compression costs.

EOR screening using Mechanistic model

SALB reservoir characteristics such as the high salinity (243,000 mg/L TDS) formation water, high
temperatures (181°F), and limited availability of fresh water sources are the primary challenges for aqueous
EOR technologies. Lack of established injection wells and the presence of faults throughout the field are
concerns for all forms of EOR.
The most positive indicator is that target sections have high oil saturations (59%), which is favorable in
allowing EOR projects to be economic. Economics are the primary concern for the project and can be better
evaluated once laboratory studies are completed.
Reservoir fluid properties suggest displacement of oil will be efficient due to very favorable mobility
ratio. Therefore, polymer injection alone is not recommended for the Sabriyah field. Continuous gas
injection schemes are viable.
The following table shows the expected range of incremental recovery percentage associated with
implementing different EOR technologies. ASP/SP and CO2 EOR options show the greatest potential.
These estimates are based on a mechanistic model used for screening purpose.

Table 2—Estimated Incremental Recovery from Screening Stage

EOR Method Best Estimate

Low Sal 0%

Polymer 1%

ASP 7%

CO2 Gas 3%

N2 Gas 0%

Figure 9—Normalized Results after 1PV of EOR

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EOR projects are recommended to be implemented at a throughput rate of at least one pore volume within
15 years. SALB flow characteristics (high kh) have the potential to inject within the recommended 15 year
time frame, but it is a large reservoir and a staged approach will be the most likely approach.

EOR Process Selected, Pilot area and Design

Laboratory studies using actual reservoir fluids and rock showed Enhanced Oil Recovery technologies
shown to be applicable to the SALB reservoir are: mobility control polymer flooding, surfactant-polymer
flooding, alkaline-surfactant-polymer flooding, and CO2 flooding. ASP EOR process is selected for SALB
to be tested further through:

• Single well EOR Pilot (SWCT Test)

• Multi well EOR pilot

Single well EOR Pilot (SWCT Test)

Single well EOR pilot test which is also known as Single well Chemical tracer (SWCT) test has been planned
in one well of SALB. SWCT test is planned to determine the average oil saturation near the well after
water injection and after alkaline-surfactant-polymer formulation injection. The test will allow evaluate the
oil recovery potential of the proposed alkaline-surfactant-polymer (ASP) formulation (1.5 wt% Na2CO3,
0.3 wt% active Alfoterra 123-4S 90, 1450 mg/L Flopaam 3630S followed by 0.25 wt% Na2CO3, 800 mg/
L Flopaam 3630S). The well selected is located in northern part of the crest of the reservoir. The test is
planned to be conducted within coal 1 up Channel which is the identified EOR target layer. The log of the
well is shown below.

Figure 10—Log of well selected for SWCT test

Other layers which presently open in this well will be closed with the help of suitable workover job. The
well will be completed with ESP designed for this purpose.
SPE-190426-MS 11

Multi well EOR pilot

A single regular five spot pattern of approximately 23 acres, with four injection wells and one production
wells is planned for SALB. Location of the pilot is towards NE part of the reservoir as shown below:

Figure 11—Location of SALB EOR pilot

Selection of a pilot area was undertaken with the following criteria:

1. To identify a "homogenous" sandstone with good and relatively uniform porosity and permeability
throughout the pilot area in which:
a. Thief zones can be avoided
b. Pore volume can be estimated.
2. No faults or significant fractures present.
3. Target sand should be receptive to water injection.
4. Absence of a water drive is preferable.
5. Select a target sand that matches sands utilized in laboratory studies.
6. Prior production history from the target sand in the pilot area is desirable.
All new wells are required for this pilot. Figure 12 depicts the well orientation. Pilot wells will be
completed in the Coal1 Upper channel of the Lower Burgan reservoir. At present, well location and
perforated interval are based on existing numerical simulation model. Adjustment of perforated intervals
are required once individual wells are drilled. All new wells should have a complete set of logs. A regular
pattern will minimize the effect of outside activity on the production well.

Figure 12—SALB EOR pilot well pattern

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Proposed SALB chemical flood pilot distance between like wells is 1000 ft. (305 m) and reservoir
characteristics of the recommended pilot are:

• Average thickness: 40 ft.

• Average porosity: 26.2%

• Pore Volume within well pattern: 2,218.8 Mbbl

Distance between injection and production wells and effective injection rate dictates duration of EOR
pilot. With a total injection of 10,000 bbl/day, a regular well pattern pilot with one production well and
roughly 1000 ft between like wells should be complete within a two year time frame. Estimated time for
different phases of the injection sequence is:

Table 3—SALB EOR pilot injection sequence

Injection Sequence Volume (Mbbls) Months

Sea water injection for baseline 900 3

Treated, softened sea water 110 0.3

ASP Solution 880 2.9

AP Flush Solution 968 3.2

Treated, softened sea water 220 0.7

Sea water flush 2662 8.9

Total 5740 19.1

Way forward of SALB EOR project

A very systematic approach has been adopted for the way forward which will reduce the associated risks
and uncertainties of SALB EOR pilot. This year a single well pilot test will be conducted to confirm the
effectiveness of the Chemical formulation designed in Lab. The test will also help in understanding the
available EOR target in the layer identified. After the test results are reviewed, the formulation and the
injection sequence/volumes might be further optimized, if required.
Drilling activities of SALB EOR pilot wells are planned to start next year. An Interwell Tracer Test is
also planned after completing the wells to confirm the connectivity between wells. Regular updating of
EOR pilot area model will be ensured with new available information. SALB EOR pilot is expected to start
in year 2020/2021.

Conclusion
SALB is strong aquifer driven reservoir in North Kuwait. The reservoir which is witnessing a rising water
cut was selected for EOR feasibility study. The EOR study suggests that Layered part of the reservoir would
be suitable for EOR. The massive sand (LBM) part of this reservoir would not be suitable for EOR mainly
due to reason of very low residual oil saturation. Since LBL makes the major part of this reservoir moving
ahead with suitable EOR process was considered. The screening study using mechanistic model identified
ASP/SP and CO2 EOR options showing greatest potential. These two process were further investigated in
lab, complemented by using simulation model. ASP flooding has been selected as the EOR process which
would be implemented in field through first single well and later multi-well EOR pilots. Well has been
identified for Single well EOR pilot test (SWCT test) and will be conducted shortly. Drilling and related
activities of multi-well pilot is scheduled to start in next 6 months.
SPE-190426-MS 13

A strong aquifer driven reservoir like SALB where development strategy so far has been only drilling of
infill wells, has seen the possibility of further production enhancement through EOR. Early implementation
of EOR is expected to bring good results and better economics to the project.

Acknowledgements
Authors are grateful to Kuwait Oil Company and FD North Kuwait Management for granting permission
to publish this paper.
All the associated team members whose valuable support was essential to complete the task is duly
acknowledged.

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