Experiment Protocol Petroleum Engineer in France Paris –Free Word Template Download with AI

This Experiment Protocol outlines the methodology for a controlled laboratory study designed to evaluate the efficiency of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) injection as an Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technique. The study focuses specifically on sandstone core samples extracted from the Paris Basin. As a Petroleum Engineer operating within the regulatory and geological context of France Paris, the primary objective is to determine the miscibility conditions and displacement efficiency of supercritical CO2 against heavy crude oil typical of the region's depleted reservoirs.

This protocol adheres to the strict environmental and safety standards mandated by French law, specifically the Code de l'environnement, ensuring that the experimental data contributes to sustainable energy practices and carbon sequestration strategies relevant to the Île-de-France region.

The Paris Basin is a large sedimentary basin covering much of northern France. For this experiment, core samples will be sourced from the Lutetian sandstone formations, known for their porosity and permeability characteristics. The Petroleum Engineer must ensure that the samples are representative of the in-situ conditions found at depths of approximately 1,500 to 2,000 meters.

Sample Specifications:

• Material: Lutetian Sandstone (Paris Basin).
• Dimensions: Cylindrical cores, 5 cm diameter, 10 cm length.
• Porosity: Target range of 18% to 22%.
• Permeability: Target range of 100 to 500 millidarcies.

Prior to experimentation, cores will be cleaned using toluene and methanol to remove existing hydrocarbons, then dried in a vacuum oven at 60°C for 48 hours. This ensures that the baseline saturation data is accurate and reproducible.

The experiment will be conducted using a high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) core flooding system located in the Paris laboratory. The setup includes a core holder capable of withstanding confining pressures up to 70 MPa and temperatures up to 150°C.

Key Equipment:

• HPHT Core Holder with back-pressure regulator.
• High-precision syringe pumps for fluid injection (CO2 and Brine).
• Differential pressure transducers.
• Online gas chromatograph for effluent analysis.
• Temperature-controlled oven.

The Petroleum Engineer is responsible for calibrating all sensors and verifying the integrity of the seals to prevent CO2 leakage, a critical safety requirement in an urban environment like Paris.

The procedure is divided into four distinct phases to simulate reservoir conditions and the EOR process.

Phase 1: Saturation with Brine

The dry core sample is placed in the core holder. Synthetic formation brine, matching the salinity of the Paris Basin aquifers (approx. 15,000 ppm TDS), is injected at a constant rate until the effluent salinity matches the inlet salinity. This establishes 100% water saturation.

Phase 2: Oil Saturation

Heavy crude oil, representative of the local reservoir fluid, is injected to displace the brine. Injection continues until no more water is produced. The residual water saturation (Swi) is calculated based on the volume of brine produced.

Phase 3: Primary Water Flooding

Brine is reinjected to simulate primary recovery. This phase continues until the water cut reaches 98%. The amount of oil recovered during this phase represents the primary recovery factor.

Phase 4: CO2 Injection (EOR Phase)

Supercritical CO2 is injected at a pressure of 10 MPa and a temperature of 80°C, simulating the reservoir conditions of the target formation. The injection rate is maintained at 1 mL/min. The process is monitored until the oil production rate drops to negligible levels. The goal is to measure the incremental oil recovery provided by the CO2 injection compared to primary water flooding.

The Petroleum Engineer must record the following data continuously:

• Inlet and outlet pressures.
• Volume of fluids injected and produced.
• Composition of the produced gas and liquid phases.
• Temperature fluctuations within the core holder.

Post-experiment, the core will be extracted and analyzed using X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) to visualize the remaining oil distribution and any mineral alterations caused by the CO2-brine-rock interactions. This analysis is crucial for understanding the long-term stability of the reservoir rock in the Paris Basin.

Given the location in France Paris, strict adherence to HSE protocols is mandatory. CO2 is an asphyxiant and must be handled in a well-ventilated area with continuous gas monitoring. All personnel must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety goggles, gloves, and lab coats.

Waste fluids containing hydrocarbons and brine must be collected in designated containers and disposed of according to French hazardous waste regulations. The experiment aims to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions by validating CO2 storage potential, aligning with the national energy transition goals.

Upon completion of the experiment, the Petroleum Engineer will compile a comprehensive report detailing the recovery factors, pressure profiles, and rock-fluid interaction observations. The findings will be used to assess the viability of CO2-EOR projects in the Paris Basin, providing valuable data for future field-scale applications in France.