Enhanced Oil Recovery, Secondary and Tertiary Methods

Enhanced Oil Recovery Secondary and Tertiary Methods edited by M.M. Schumacher 1978

This volume is a technical compilation focused on enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods, developed to extract additional petroleum beyond what primary production techniques can recover. Published during a period of energy insecurity and rising demand, the book reflects efforts to extend the productivity of existing oil fields.

The text explains secondary recovery methods, such as water flooding and gas injection, which maintain reservoir pressure and improve oil displacement. It then moves into tertiary (enhanced) recovery techniques, including:

Thermal methods (e.g., steam injection, in-situ combustion)
Chemical methods (e.g., surfactants, polymers)
Miscible gas injection (e.g., CO₂ or hydrocarbons)

These techniques are analyzed in terms of reservoir conditions, fluid behavior, and engineering design, with case studies illustrating field applications.

From a historical standpoint, the book documents how the petroleum industry sought to maximize extraction efficiency during a time when oil supply concerns were prominent. However, from a modern climate-conscious perspective, EOR represents an extension of fossil fuel dependence, as these methods enable the continued production of hydrocarbons that would otherwise remain underground.

Many of the processes described—particularly thermal methods—are energy-intensive and can significantly increase the carbon footprint per barrel of oil produced. While some later adaptations of EOR (such as CO₂ injection) have been explored for carbon management, their primary historical role was to enhance oil output rather than reduce emissions.