FAQs

What is EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery)?

In the broadest, most general sense, enhanced oil recovery involves methods of recovering more oil from a reservoir than can be obtained from the naturally occurring drive mechanisms such as solution gas drive (fluid expansion) or water influx. EOR involves the introduction of artificial/supplemental forces or energy into the reservoir for the purpose of aiding the natural drive mechanisms. This is often confused with primary, secondary and tertiary recoveries, which are stages in the production life of a reservoir, not the recovery mechanism. EOR can occur at any stage in the production life, although it is usually relegated to secondary or tertiary aspects. By this definition, waterflooding is considered a form of enhanced oil recovery, although the industry likes to keep the name for more exotic applications.