Experiment Protocol Petroleum Engineer in United Kingdom Birmingham –Free Word Template Download with AI

This Experiment Protocol outlines the standardized procedures for conducting laboratory-scale simulations of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) flooding for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). This protocol is designed specifically for the operations of a Petroleum Engineer working within the academic and industrial research hubs of Birmingham, United Kingdom.

The primary objective is to evaluate the efficiency of CO2 injection in reducing the viscosity of heavy crude oil and improving displacement efficiency in sandstone reservoir rock analogues. This research aligns with the United Kingdom's broader energy transition goals, focusing on maximizing recovery from mature fields while sequestering carbon. The data generated will inform field-scale injection strategies compliant with UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations.

This protocol applies to all experimental activities conducted within the high-pressure flow loops located in the Birmingham facility. It is mandatory for all Petroleum Engineers, research assistants, and technical staff involved in the execution of this study. The scope includes core sample preparation, fluid property analysis, high-pressure injection testing, and post-experiment core analysis.

Given the high-pressure nature of the equipment and the use of CO2, strict adherence to safety protocols is required. All personnel must comply with the UK Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety glasses, lab coats, and pressure-rated gloves are mandatory.
• Ventilation: Experiments must be conducted in fume hoods or rooms with active CO2 monitoring systems.
• Emergency Procedures: In the event of a CO2 leak, evacuate the immediate area and activate the Birmingham facility's emergency ventilation protocol.

The following equipment must be calibrated and verified prior to the start of the experiment:

• Core Holder: Stainless steel, capable of withstanding up to 10,000 psi confining pressure.
• Core Samples: Homogeneous sandstone cores (diameter: 2.54 cm, length: 5.08 cm) sourced from UK North Sea analogues.
• Fluids: Synthetic brine (3% NaCl), heavy crude oil (viscosity > 50 cP at reservoir conditions), and high-purity CO2 (99.9%).
• Pumps: High-pressure syringe pumps for precise fluid injection rates.
• Sensors: Differential pressure transducers and temperature controllers.

The Petroleum Engineer must follow these steps sequentially to ensure data integrity and reproducibility.

5.1. Core Sample Preparation

1. Clean the sandstone core samples using toluene and methanol to remove existing hydrocarbons.
2. Dry the samples in an oven at 105°C for 24 hours.
3. Saturate the cores with synthetic brine under vacuum to ensure 100% water saturation.
4. Measure the initial porosity and permeability of the brine-saturated cores.

5.2. Oil Saturation

1. Inject heavy crude oil into the core holder at a constant rate to displace the brine.
2. Continue injection until the effluent is 100% oil, establishing the Initial Oil in Place (IOIP).
3. Apply reservoir confining pressure (simulating 2,000 meters depth) and maintain temperature at 60°C.

5.3. Primary Recovery (Water Flooding)

1. Inject brine at a rate of 1 pore volume per day (PV/day).
2. Record differential pressure and cumulative oil production until water cut reaches 98%.
3. This phase establishes the baseline recovery factor before EOR application.

5.4. CO2 Injection Phase

1. Switch the injection fluid to supercritical CO2.
2. Maintain injection pressure above the Minimum Miscibility Pressure (MMP) of the oil.
3. Monitor pressure drop across the core to detect breakthrough.
4. Continue injection until 3 pore volumes of CO2 have been injected.

5.5. Post-Experiment Analysis

1. Flush the core with methanol to recover remaining oil.
2. Calculate the incremental oil recovery attributed to the CO2 injection.
3. Analyze the core for any mineral dissolution or precipitation using X-ray diffraction.

All data must be logged in the central laboratory database located in Birmingham. The Petroleum Engineer is responsible for ensuring that:

• Pressure and temperature readings are recorded every 60 seconds.
• Fluid volumes are measured with an accuracy of ±0.1 mL.
• Any deviations from this protocol are documented in the "Experimental Logbook" with justifications.

Used oil, brine, and chemical solvents must be disposed of according to the UK Environmental Protection Act. Contaminated core samples must be stored in designated hazardous waste containers until collection by certified waste management services.