**Section 1**

**Introduction to Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)** 

**1** 

*Canada* 

Laura Romero-Zerón

**Advances in Enhanced Oil Recovery Processes** 

In the last few years, Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) processes have re-gained interest from the research and development phases to the oilfield EOR implementation. This renewed interest has been furthered by the current high oil price environment, the increasing worldwide oil demand, the maturation of oilfields worldwide, and few new-well

Oil recovery mechanisms and processes are concisely reviewed in this chapter. A brief introduction to primary and secondary oil recovery stages is provided; while the main focus of the chapter is given to EOR processes with emphasis on EOR emerging technological

Hydrocarbon recovery occurs through two main processes: primary recovery and supplementary recovery. Primary recovery refers to the volume of hydrocarbon produced by the natural energy prevailing in the reservoir and/or artificial lift through a single wellbore; while supplementary or secondary hydrocarbon recovery refers to the volume of hydrocarbon produced as a result of the addition of energy into the reservoir, such as fluid injection, to complement or increase the original energy within the reservoir (Dake, 1978;

Hydrocarbon reservoirs are unique; each reservoir presents its own geometric form, geological rock properties, fluid characteristics, and primary driving mechanism. Yet, similar reservoirs are categorized based on their natural recovery mechanism. Table 1

The natural driving mechanisms of primary recovery are outlined as follows.

**1. Introduction** 

trends.

discoveries (Aladasani & Bai, 2010).

**2. Hydrocarbon recovery** 

Lyons & Plisga, 2005).

 Depletion drive Gas cap drive Water drive

 Gravity drainage drive Combination drive

**2.1 Primary oil recovery mechanisms** 

Rock and liquid expansion drive

*University of New Brunswick, Chemical Engineering Department* 
