Laboratory Studies for Light-Oil Air Injection Projects: Potential Application in Handil Field

Summary Air injection into light-oil reservoirs is now a proven field technique. Because of the unlimited availability and the nil access cost of the injectant, the application potential of this improved recovery process is promising when associated with the lack of available hydrocarbon gas sources for injection. One of the keys of a successful air injection project is the evaluation of the process by carrying out representative laboratory studies. Therefore, an original laboratory strategy was proposed to assess the recovery potential by air injection into light-oil reservoirs, and to help the determination and the quantification of optimal operating conditions. In this paper, the air injection technique applied to light-oil reservoirs is explained. Then, the laboratory strategy proposed for the evaluation of an air injection project is described, and the experimental objectives, devices, and procedures are explained. In order to provide reliable experimental data, high-pressure and high-temperature experiments (up to 40 MPa and 500°C) are performed with consolidated reservoir cores and reservoir oils, at representative conditions of the air injection process in light-oil reservoirs. Finally, a laboratory evaluation regarding a potential application for an air injection pilot in the Handil field (Mahakam delta, Indonesia) is presented and discussed.