Publications

One of the formations in Field M is volcanic formation that contains oil with API of 25 � 33� and a high pour point of 45�C with a recovery factor (RF) of about 20% in 2017. This RF value signify that there is still potential for additional oil recovery. To increase the oil production, one of the alternative methods is injection of bio-surfactant into the reservoir. This paper describes result of the alternative method of bio-surfactant injection targeting the Field M volcanic formation. This bio-surfactant is generated at the surface in a bioreactor, and intended to be naturally continued in the reservoir by in-situ microorganism. The objectives are to increase oil production and decrease water cut by injecting the bio-surfactant into several wells, namely M-X1, M-X2 and M-X3, which produce with a water cut of 85% - 98% and oil production of 3 - 17 BOPD. M-X1 well is selected for Huff & Puff injection, while M-X2 and M-X3 well are selected for both huff & puff and well interconnectivity observation. This project has been progressed in several stages, i.e. laboratory activities; preparation; implementation; and monitoring. Monitoring was being conducted to both injection and surrounding wells. The results of this project can be summarized as follows: At M-X1 Huff & Puff Injection Well, the water cut decreased (from 85% to 70%) thus oil production increased (from 3 BOPD to 7 BOPD). There are indications of well-to-well connectivity (M-X4) as indicated by observations of microbe population. At M-X2 Injection Well, water cut did not decrease but surrounding wells were affected as indicated by microbe population observations. At M-X3 Huff & Puff Injection Well, wells water cut decreased thus oil increased (from 17 BOPD to 22 BOPD). Surrounding Well M-X4 was affected by bio-surfactant injection at M-X1 and M-X2 wells, resulting a decrease in water cut. Therefore, the total work results into increasing the oil production (cumulative gain of 8773 bbls) and decreasing water cut by injecting 15500 bbls with additional cost of 15.58 USD per barrel oil gain for a year.