Experiment Protocol Petroleum Engineer in Saudi Arabia Jeddah –Free Word Template Download with AI

This Experiment Protocol outlines the standardized procedures for conducting laboratory-scale Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) experiments focused on CO2 injection techniques. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficiency of CO2 flooding in recovering residual oil from carbonate reservoir rock samples typical of the geological formations found in the Western Province of Saudi Arabia, specifically near Jeddah.

As a Petroleum Engineer operating within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, adherence to this protocol is mandatory to ensure data integrity, operational safety, and alignment with the national energy strategy. The experiment aims to determine the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) and the incremental oil recovery factor under conditions simulating the high-temperature and high-pressure (HTHP) environments characteristic of Saudi reservoirs.

This protocol applies to all petroleum engineering personnel, laboratory technicians, and researchers conducting EOR experiments at the research facilities in Jeddah. It covers the preparation of core samples, fluid characterization, experimental setup, execution of the injection process, and post-experiment analysis. All activities must comply with the regulations set forth by the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) and the environmental guidelines of the Ministry of Energy.

Given the location in Jeddah, where ambient temperatures can be high, equipment cooling systems must be monitored continuously to prevent overheating. Waste fluids containing hydrocarbons must be disposed of according to Saudi environmental laws to prevent contamination of the local ecosystem and groundwater.

5.1. Sample Preparation

The Petroleum Engineer must first clean the carbonate core samples using toluene and acetone to remove any existing hydrocarbons. The samples are then dried in an oven at 60°C for 24 hours. Porosity and permeability measurements must be conducted using a helium porosimeter and a gas permeameter, respectively, to establish baseline properties.

5.2. Saturation

The core samples are saturated with synthetic brine under vacuum to ensure complete pore filling. Subsequently, the brine is displaced with the representative crude oil at a slow injection rate to simulate reservoir saturation conditions. The residual water saturation (Swi) is recorded.

5.3. Primary Recovery

Water flooding is initiated to simulate primary and secondary recovery methods. Water is injected at a constant rate until the water cut reaches 98%. The volume of oil recovered is measured to determine the baseline recovery factor.

5.4. CO2 Injection (Tertiary Recovery)

CO2 is injected into the core sample at a pressure above the calculated MMP. The injection rate is maintained at 0.5 ml/min. The system temperature is controlled at 80°C to match the reservoir conditions in the Jeddah area. Pressure drop across the core and effluent composition are monitored continuously.

5.5. Data Collection

Data points including pressure, temperature, flow rate, and cumulative oil production are recorded every 5 minutes. The experiment continues until no further oil is produced or until 2 pore volumes of CO2 have been injected.

Upon completion of the experiment, the Petroleum Engineer must analyze the data to calculate the incremental oil recovery due to CO2 injection. The results should be compared with industry standards and previous studies conducted in Saudi Arabia. A detailed report must be generated, including graphs of pressure vs. time and cumulative oil production vs. pore volumes injected. The report must be submitted to the project manager and archived in accordance with company policy.

All equipment must be calibrated before the start of the experiment. The Petroleum Engineer is responsible for verifying the calibration certificates. Any deviations from the protocol must be documented and justified. Regular audits will be conducted to ensure compliance with this Experiment Protocol.

This Experiment Protocol provides a comprehensive framework for conducting CO2 EOR experiments in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. By following these procedures, Petroleum Engineers can generate reliable data to optimize oil recovery strategies, contributing to the sustainable development of the Kingdom's oil resources.