Читать книгу Economically and Environmentally Sustainable Enhanced Oil Recovery - M. R. Islam - Страница 21

The history of EOR has been marked with controversy, misjudgement and non-technical considerations, devoid of scientific merit. Decisions have been made based on tax credits, government incentives, politics, and other factors, unrelated to engineering. The same applies to the latest ‘awareness’ of environmental concerns. In brief, it has been about monetizing science and technology and not about economic and environmental sustainability. Engineering should be technology before politicking and science should be before engineering. In the modern era, we have started a preposterous culture of short-term profiteering over long-term sustainability. Chapter 6 offers the scientific analysis of all major EOR initiatives and identifies the source of environmental and economic unsustainability. This chapter takes a close look at historical developments and evolutions in oil and gas reserves to offer a guideline for the start of EOR projects. All existing technologies are considered, and their sustainability assessed. Reservoirs for which EOR should be implemented immediately are highlighted. The recent awareness of environmental concerns is factored in to present a new set of criteria for start up of an EOR project.