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enhanced oil recovery
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The third stage of hydrocarbon production during which sophisticated techniques that alter the original properties of the oil are used. Enhanced oil recovery can begin after a secondary recovery process or at any time during the productive life of an oil reservoir. Its purpose is not only to restore formation pressure, but also to improve oil displacement or fluid flow in the reservoir.
The three major types of enhanced oil recovery operations are chemical flooding (alkaline flooding or micellar-polymer flooding), miscible displacement (carbon dioxide [CO2] injection or hydrocarbon injection), and thermal recovery (steamflood or in-situ combustion). The optimal application of each type depends on reservoir temperature, pressure, depth, net pay, permeability, residual oil and water saturations, porosity and fluid properties such as oil API gravity and viscosity.
Enhanced oil recovery is also called improved oil recovery or tertiary recovery and it is abbreviated EOR.
Synonyms: chemical flooding, miscible displacement
Alternate Form: EOR, tertiary recovery
See: API gravity, fluid flow, formation pressure, in-situ combustion, primary recovery, residual oil, secondary recovery, steamflood, thermal recovery
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