While iconic 19th-century images of oil gushers may linger in America’s memory, the reality is that only around 10% of typical oil reserves are easily recoverable near the surface. As the easily accessible oil diminishes, the focus shifts to Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques, utilizing underground injections to coax oil to the surface.
The University of Wyoming has initiated the Wyoming Gas Injection Initiative (WGII), a groundbreaking $50 million public-private partnership. Private operators, including Ballard Petroleum Holdings, Continental Resources, Devon Energy Corp., and Oxy USA Inc., are contributing $25 million each. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and practical application in oil fields.
EOR techniques, endorsed by the Department of Energy, typically recover between 30% and 60% of a reservoir’s holding. The Wyoming initiative aspires to push these limits further. At the Center of Innovation for Flow Through Porous Media (COIFPM), researchers will conduct tests on oil-bearing reservoir rocks and experiment with oil-releasing additives. The thorough testing phase is expected to span two years before pilot applications in the field commence.
Dr. Mohammad Piri, COIFPM’s founder and director, highlighted the uniqueness of their lab, capable of replicating reservoir and production conditions at multiple scales. The Wyoming leadership anticipates that advancements in EOR research will not only extend the life of existing wells but also fortify a vital sector supporting thousands of jobs in the state.
Ryan McConnaughey, Vice President of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming, emphasized the industry’s benefit from technological advancements, enabling increased oil extraction without the need for additional wells. Wyoming’s oil and gas production significantly contribute to state revenue, with over 40% of total property taxes and approximately 80% of mineral-related property taxes originating from this sector.
The potential economic gains from enhanced recovery methods could prove instrumental for Wyoming, propelling its oil and gas industry into a new era of sustainable growth.