CO 2 EOR Research in Saudi Aramco. Nabeel Al-Afaleg, PhD Saudi Aramco 3 rd CSLF Workshop January 27 29, 2008 Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

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1 EOR Research in Saudi Aramco Nabeel Al-Afaleg, PhD Saudi Aramco 3 rd CSLF Workshop January 27 29, 2008 Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

2 Resources 358 bil bbls (50%) Probable, Possible, Contingent 109 bil bbls (15%) Produced 50 % Recoverable 260* bil bbls (35%) Current Expand Resources *with Condensates

3 Interest in CO2-EOR Research 358 bil bbls (50%) Probable, Possible, Contingent 109 bil bbls (15%) Produced 260* bil bbls (35%) Current Environmental concern Win-win Promote capture and sequestration technologies EOR Production is not needed for very long time Long lead time R&D, studies and planning *with Condensates

4 Recovery Methods EOR CONVENTIONAL Thermal Combustion Steam Hot water Natural Flow Primary Recovery Gas Miscible Immiscible Hydrocarbon CO 2 Nitrogen Flue Gas 2 Artificial Lift Pump Gas Lift Secondary Recovery Pressure Support Water Gas Tertiary Chemical Alkaline Polymer Foam Miscellar Other Microbial Electromagnetic Oil Recovery Generally Less than 30% Target mobile oil in the reservoir 30-60% Target >50% immobile and oil in the Up to reservoir 80+% (From SPE-SPE-84908, 87864)

5 -EOR - Basics Inject dense liquid like Swells oil and reduces viscosity Applicable to light oil reservoir (miscible) Proven: number of commercial projects Estimated incremental recovery: 5-20% oil oil Atmospheric Conditions (Gas) 2000 psi 150 o F (Liq like) Mixture (Liq) CO2 CO2 Oil (Liq) Miscibility of + Oil

6 -EOR: Technical Challenges Geological complexities Viscous fingering Gravity segregation Conformance, i.e. Placing into the right zones Monitoring technologies Corrosion and metallurgy Cost: CAPEX & OPEX

7 EOR Production: World Production (MBD) % ~ 3 Million b/d (4%) 9% 10% 10% 2% Thermal Chemical HC Gas CO2 Others (Data from Oil & Gas J, SPE, and other sources)

8 Carbon Management at Saudi Aramco Established a multidisciplinary team Developed carbon management technology Roadmap Engaged with industry to increase awareness Enhanced collaboration SAUDI ARAMCO CARBON MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY ROAD MAP C apture Fixed Sources EOR Sequest. C apture Mobile Srcs Indu strial App licat ion IK Sources Lab Studies Storage fro m C ars B ased Amin e Scru bbin g Reservoir Simu lat ion Monitoring fro m Marin e Carbon Based CDM App licat ion s Pilot Project Imp act s Capture fro m Air CLC for Petro- Allian ces fuels JIPs Associat ed Studies MIT-CSI ITC -PTRC Chal mers IEA- GHG IK R &D TNO, IFP Industrial & Research Alliances

9 SAUDI ARAMCO CARBON MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY ROAD MAP Capture Fixed Sources EOR Sequest. Capture Mobile Srcs Industrial Application IK Sources Lab Studies Storage from Cars Based Amine Scrubbing Reservoir Simulation Monitoring from Marine Carbon Based CDM Applications Pilot Project Impacts Capture from Air CLC for Petro-fuels Alliances JIPs eg, Weyburn Associated Studies MIT-CSI ITC-PTRC Chalmers IEA-GHG IK R&D TNO, IFP Industrial & Research Alliances

10 EOR Research Program Screening Studies EOR Methods Research EOR Pilot Candidates Evaluate and Assess Preliminary Gas (CO2) Site Selection Evaluation Period Detailed Chemical Thermal Detailed Reservoir Studies Assessment Microbial Pilot Test Implementation

11 -EOR: Research Plan MMP Simulation Swelling Asphaltene Precipitation Core Flooding

12 -EOR: Research Topics Fluid-fluid and fluid-rock interactions Complex -oil-water phase behavior interaction with reservoir rock interaction with cements Cap rock integrity Corrosion Viscosity and miscibility controls Increase capacity to inject more Flood performance monitoring, diagnostics surveillance and surveillance technologies Field studies and pilots -- Weyburn

13 Concluding Remarks Saudi Aramco is addressing concern over global climate change by promoting R&D in carbon capture and storage Established a Carbon Management team with a technology road map Active in conducting R&D studies in -EOR