Publications

Mature fields and dwindling prospects of finding new oil fields are turning peoples attention to improvements in the recovery of oil from known oil fields. Conventional primary and secondary methods typically recover only 25 to 45% of oil in place, and leave 55-75% behind. In this case, Medco E&P Indonesia (MEDCO) is facing the same challenges since most of the major oil fields are in the declining stage. Therefore, the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method is becoming an increasingly important issue and must be considered seriously. High oil prices and technology improvements are encouraging oil producers to deplete the reservoir till the last drop of oil is extracted. MEDCO started its EOR Selection study in 2003 the Kaji Semoga field was a pilot project in this study. This paper describes all the preparations undertaken by the study team to select an EOR method. The team utilized data relating to the reservoir volume (floodable area), geological model, rock properties, as well as the availability of EOR technology that were a fit for the field. Eventhough the Kaji field is a carbonate reservoir that has high heterogeneity, selecting the Surfactant Polymer Chemical Flooding option as an EOR method is a challenging project. It is also an opportunity not only for Medco E&P Indonesia but also for other carbonate reservoir fields in Indonesia.