Formation damage in chemical enhanced oil recovery processes

Abstract Generally, we do not link enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to formation damage. However, formation damage can occur during chemical EOR processes, although it is not often discussed in literature on the topic. This unfortunate gap in EOR literature ignores the fascinating fact that sometimes the formation damages in some chemical EOR processes are the very mechanisms that enhance oil recovery. This paper summarizes all of the formation damages in chemical EOR processes. The conditions and mechanisms to occur are detailed. Benefits and consequences are discussed. Solutions to promote the benefits and negate the consequences are summarized and/or proposed. This paper suggests that relevant experiments should be conducted to assess possible formation damages in chemical EOR processes. © 2016 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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