CO2 injection and heavy oil ?

CO2 injection is a proven EOR technique for conventional oil reservoirs - we explore it's applicability for heavy oil recovery.

In my last blog I highlighted plans by Penn West Energy Trust to sequester CO2 from their Alberta oil sands operations and use it for conventional oil EOR. One related question I get frequently is if CO2 injection or flooding is applicable to heavy oil ? Our latest feature article Expert Viewpoint - CO2 injection applicability to heavy oil  does a great job answering just that question. Essentially CO2 injection or flooding is not, with current technology, an effective method to enhance heavy oil recovery for a variety of reasons including lack of lighter components that enable a miscible front, and potential asphaltene drop out that can damage the formation. Clearly more R&D is required, something that will no doubt be pursued especially as GHG impact continues to be key environmental factor in heavy oil operations.

Jorge.