The shale revolution may have led to a surge of domestic production from unconventional reservoirs, but Omer Gurpinar, technical director of EOR for Schlumberger Ltd. (NYSE: SLB), sees the need for a new transformation in oil and gas.
Pointing to an estimated average 7% recovery factor with hydraulic fracturing for unconventional reservoirs, Gurpinar spoke with Hart Energy about how bringing EOR methods to unconventionals is crucial for the industry.
“For unconventionals, EOR is a must; it’s not a luxury. We have to do it,” he said.
Gurpinar views the implementation of EOR methods in unconventional production as a “promising challenge.” The topic is already gaining attention from those interested in EOR research in shale plays.
“Basically, the momentum for increasing recovery factors for unconventionals are so high that I’m expecting there could be even new EOR schemes being created and being implemented,” he said.
If EOR efforts in unconventionals continue to grow, Gurpinar said additional technologies could be made available which would make projects much more economical.
Recommended Reading
NAPE: In Basins Familiar to E&Ps, Lithium Rush Offers Little Gold
2024-02-07 - A quest for sources of lithium comes as the lucrative element is expected to play a part in global efforts to lower emissions, but in many areas the economics are challenging.
Investors: Energy Transition is on Policy-driven Life Support
2024-03-20 - Injecting private capital into the energy transition is worrisome because some projects couldn’t survive without government incentives, panelists said at CERAWeek by S&P Global.
APA’s Permian to Pick up Production Slack Amid Overseas Headaches
2024-02-26 - With various overseas headaches, Houston-based APA Corp. aims to boost its Permian Basin volumes and integrate its Callon Petroleum acquisition when it closes in the second quarter.
Repsol Eyes Increasing Core US Upstream Business
2024-02-29 - Madrid-based Repsol SA will invest €$2.2 billion (US$2.38 billion) between 2024-2027 on its unconventional assets in the Marcellus and Eagle Ford as it focuses on increasing its core U.S. upstream business platform.
US Interior Department Releases Offshore Wind Lease Schedule
2024-04-24 - The U.S. Interior Department’s schedule includes up to a dozen lease sales through 2028 for offshore wind, compared to three for oil and gas lease sales through 2029.