Economic aspects and opportunities for chemicals in enhanced oil recovery

One of ERDA's missions is that of accelerating the application of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes by cost-sharing the field testing of known processes and by the conduct of supplemental research as necessary for process improvement, the development of a predictive capability, and acceleration of the EOR learning curve. A primary factor influencing ERDA's EOR program is the appraisal of the potential production and ultimate recovery that should be realized from these processes. Since several of the most promising processes require very large amounts of chemicals, such as surfactants, cosurfactants, and water-soluble polymers, current projections of potential EOR production could be dependent upon the supply of these chemicals. The study reports on the most recent assessments of potential production by EOR processes during the next 10 to 15 yr and on the related demand for, and supply of, the chemicals which would be required to realize the projected EOR-production potential.