Experiment Protocol Petroleum Engineer in Morocco Casablanca –Free Word Template Download with AI
Project Title: Optimization of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Techniques for Offshore Carbonate Formations
Location: Casablanca, Morocco (Laboratory and Field Simulation Center)
Role: Petroleum Engineer
Date: October 26, 2023
Protocol Version: 1.0
This Experiment Protocol outlines the rigorous procedures required for the Petroleum Engineer to conduct laboratory-scale core flooding experiments. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficiency of a novel surfactant-polymer formulation in displacing residual crude oil from carbonate rock samples. Given the geological context of Morocco Casablanca, which serves as a strategic hub for North African energy operations, this study focuses on reservoir characteristics typical of the region's offshore carbonate fields.
The Petroleum Engineer must ensure that the experimental conditions accurately simulate the in-situ temperature, pressure, and salinity conditions found in the target reservoirs. The ultimate goal is to provide data-driven recommendations for field-scale implementation of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) strategies to maximize hydrocarbon extraction efficiency.
This protocol applies to all core flooding tests conducted within the specialized petrophysical laboratories in Casablanca. It is designed for use by senior Petroleum Engineers and research technicians. The scope includes sample preparation, fluid formulation, core flooding execution, and post-experiment analysis. The results will be used to calibrate numerical reservoir simulation models specific to the Moroccan basin.
Adherence to safety standards is paramount. The Petroleum Engineer must strictly follow the occupational health and safety regulations enforced in Morocco Casablanca industrial zones.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Lab coats, safety goggles, nitrile gloves, and steel-toed boots are mandatory.
- Chemical Handling: Surfactants and polymers must be handled in a fume hood to prevent inhalation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Waste Disposal: All used core samples and chemical effluents must be disposed of according to the local environmental regulations of the Casablanca-Settat region.
- Warning: High-pressure equipment poses a risk of mechanical failure. Ensure all pressure vessels are inspected before use.
The Petroleum Engineer must verify the availability and calibration of the following equipment prior to commencing the experiment:
| Item | Specification | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Core Holder | High-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) capable of 15,000 psi and 150°C | 2 |
| Core Samples | Carbonate plugs (5 cm diameter, 10 cm length) sourced from local Moroccan wells | 4 |
| High-Pressure Pumps | Isocratic pumps for precise flow rate control | 3 |
| Back Pressure Regulator | Range: 0-10,000 psi | 1 |
| Fluids | Brine (matching reservoir salinity), Crude Oil (local API gravity), Surfactant-Polymer Mix | As required |
5.1. Sample Preparation
The Petroleum Engineer shall prepare the carbonate core samples by cleaning them with toluene and methanol to remove existing hydrocarbons. The samples must then be dried in an oven at 60°C for 24 hours. Following drying, the cores are saturated with brine under vacuum to ensure 100% water saturation. The brine composition must match the salinity and ion concentration of the formation water found in the specific Moroccan reservoir being studied.
5.2. Oil Saturation
Inject crude oil into the saturated cores at a constant flow rate until no more water is produced. This establishes the initial oil saturation (Soi). The Petroleum Engineer must record the volume of oil injected and the volume of water displaced to calculate the initial saturation accurately.
5.3. Water Flooding (Primary Recovery)
Inject formation brine into the core at a constant pressure gradient until the water cut reaches 98%. This step simulates primary and secondary recovery processes. The Petroleum Engineer must monitor the differential pressure across the core to detect any changes in permeability.
5.4. Surfactant-Polymer Flooding (Tertiary Recovery)
This is the critical phase of the experiment. The Petroleum Engineer will inject the prepared surfactant-polymer slug. The injection rate must be maintained at 1 foot per day (1 ft/d) to simulate realistic field conditions. The temperature of the core holder must be maintained at the reservoir temperature (e.g., 85°C) using a heating jacket.
Continuous monitoring of the effluent is required. The Petroleum Engineer must measure:
- Oil production rate
- Water cut
- Differential pressure
- Conductivity of the effluent
Upon completion of the flooding process, the Petroleum Engineer must analyze the collected data. Key performance indicators include:
- Additional Oil Recovery: The percentage of original oil in place (OOIP) recovered by the surfactant-polymer flood compared to water flooding.
- Relative Permeability Curves: Derivation of new relative permeability curves for the carbonate rock under chemical flooding conditions.
- Chemical Retention: Calculation of the amount of surfactant and polymer adsorbed by the rock matrix.
The final report must be comprehensive, detailing the experimental setup, raw data, calculations, and conclusions. The Petroleum Engineer should provide specific recommendations on the feasibility of implementing this EOR technique in the fields surrounding Casablanca.
This Experiment Protocol provides a standardized framework for the Petroleum Engineer to conduct high-quality EOR research. By adhering to these procedures, the engineering team in Morocco Casablanca can generate reliable data to support strategic decisions in hydrocarbon production optimization.
⬇️ Download as DOCX Edit online as DOCXCreate your own Word template with our GoGPT AI prompt:
GoGPT