Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Alberta
$108,350.00
Feasibility study, comparative analysis, and optimization of natural gas Huff-n-Puff processes in Duvernay and Eagle Ford formations
FY 2023-24
Summary
The global energy demand is expected to increase while the hydrocarbon production rate from conventional resources has been declining. This has motivated the industry to develop unconventional resources by hydraulic fracturing operations. Canada has massive unconventional resources with an estimated 425 billion barrels of shale and tight oil in-place in Alberta alone. However, the industry is facing serious economical and environmental challenges for sustainable development of such resources. Although horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing have successfully unlocked hydrocarbon production from tight resources, the primary oil recovery factors are very low (5-10% of the original oil in-place). Therefore, the industry needs to apply enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques to improve the efficiency of such operations. Injecting the produced natural gas into the depleted unconventional reservoirs has been considered as potential technique to improve oil recovery factor of these reservoirs.The proposed research aims to conduct systematic laboratory experiments and mathematical analyses for feasibility study, comparative analysis, and optimization of cyclic natural gas injection (Huff-n-Puff) in the Duvernay and EagleFord formations. The two formations are source rocks with similar geological, petrographic, and petrophysical properties. The laboratory results will be analyzed in conjunction with the field data to design optimum pilot tests in the two formations by the supporting organizations. Three PhD and twoMSc students and one PDF will conduct the proposed laboratory and modelling studies. The University of Alberta team will collaborate with experts from the supporting organizations to develop guidelines 1) to identify candidate wells based on their rock and fluid properties, and 2) to optimize the composition of Huff-n-Puff fluids and operational parameters. The research team will acquire relevant technical expertise to be well-poised to join the Canadian oil and gas industry, and continue the responsible development of the nation's unconventional resources.
Program
Alliance Grants
Recipient
Location
Alberta, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
576518-2022
Name nom
Dehghanpour, Hassan H
Department département
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Organization id
9
Institution établissement
University of Alberta
Province en
Alberta
Province fr
Alberta
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2023
Competition year année de concours
2022
Award amount
108350
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
301
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Oil, gas and coal
Area of application fr
Pétrole, gaz et charbon
Research subject code
2301
Research subject group en
Fuel and energy technology
Research subject group fr
Petroleum-based and fossil fuels
Research subject en
Combustibles et technologie de l'énergie
Research subject fr
Combustibles fossiles et dérivés du pétrole
Application title
Feasibility study, comparative analysis, and optimization of natural gas Huff-n-Puff processes in Duvernay and Eagle Ford formations
Keyword
Enhanced Oil Recovery; Hydraulic Fracturing; Natural Gas; Organic Shales; Reservoir Engineering; Unconventional Resource Development
Application summary
The global energy demand is expected to increase while the hydrocarbon production rate from conventional resources has been declining. This has motivated the industry to develop unconventional resources by hydraulic fracturing operations. Canada has massive unconventional resources with an estimated 425 billion barrels of shale and tight oil in-place in Alberta alone. However, the industry is facing serious economical and environmental challenges for sustainable development of such resources. Although horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing have successfully unlocked hydrocarbon production from tight resources, the primary oil recovery factors are very low (5-10% of the original oil in-place). Therefore, the industry needs to apply enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques to improve the efficiency of such operations. Injecting the produced natural gas into the depleted unconventional reservoirs has been considered as potential technique to improve oil recovery factor of these reservoirs.The proposed research aims to conduct systematic laboratory experiments and mathematical analyses for feasibility study, comparative analysis, and optimization of cyclic natural gas injection (Huff-n-Puff) in the Duvernay and EagleFord formations. The two formations are source rocks with similar geological, petrographic, and petrophysical properties. The laboratory results will be analyzed in conjunction with the field data to design optimum pilot tests in the two formations by the supporting organizations. Three PhD and twoMSc students and one PDF will conduct the proposed laboratory and modelling studies. The University of Alberta team will collaborate with experts from the supporting organizations to develop guidelines 1) to identify candidate wells based on their rock and fluid properties, and 2) to optimize the composition of Huff-n-Puff fluids and operational parameters. The research team will acquire relevant technical expertise to be well-poised to join the Canadian oil and gas industry, and continue the responsible development of the nation's unconventional resources.
