RUTH - A Comprehensive Norwegian R & D program on IOR

Abstract

Leif Hinderaker, SPE, Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, Rolf H. Utseth, SPE, Statoil, Odd Steve Hustad and Idar Akervoll, SPE, IKU Petroleum Research, Mariann Dalland, Bjorn Arne Kvanvik, Tor Austad, and John Eirik Paulsen, SPE, RF-Rogaland Research.Abstract. RUTH (1992-1995) was a four year Norwegian research program on improved oil recovery funded by Norwegian authorities and 18 participating oil companies. This paper describes how the program was organized and highlights the main results. Research was performed within six main themes: Gas flooding, combined gas-water injection including WAG, foam, polymer-gels, surfactant flooding, and microbial method.Applications in Norwegian fields are discussed with special focus on field pilot tests. The program contributed to establish a pilot-activity on three new methods, WAG, foam, and polymer-gel, on the Norwegian continental shelf.Introduction. An important goal for Norwegian petroleum policy has been to secure the best possible exploitation of the petroleum resources. The initiation and implementation of IOR R&D programs have been an essential part of the strategy to reach this goal. Several major Norwegian IOR programs have therefore been initiated since the nineteen eighties. These are listed on Table 1.The Joint Chalk Research program, dedicated to improving hydrocarbon production from Norwegian and Danish chalk fields, was launched in 1982 on the initiative of Norwegian and Danish authorities. The state sponsored SPOR program, which was carried out during 1985 through 1991, focused on IOR and EOR methods, and had as its main goal to build a national Norwegian IOR expertise. Two follow-up programs were initiated after SPOR: The PROFIT program, concentrating on