Steam Injection Technology: Improved, Enhanced, Developed

The exciting industry of oil production keeps on evolving. Gone are the days when inefficient oil extraction methods are used. Today, players big and small alike have invested in research studies to successfully obtain usable oil from the ground. Because of the unpure state of the recovered oil, companies are lucky enough to obtain from five to ten percent of the Original Oil in Place, better known as OOIP. In the business parlance, this is not a good percentage, and companies have now explored better ways to extract oil. Some of the enhanced oil recovery systems that simply work better are the ones with improved steam injection technology.

    The concept behind steam injection technology is quite direct to the point. Crude oil extracting companies inject high temperature steam into the ground. This steam increases the pressure underneath, pushing the crude oil naturally, and then a man made apparatus lifts the oil towards the surface. Until the temperature of the steam goes back down to normal levels, the man made equipment will be able to continually obtain oil. This steam injection process is then repeated, once the temperature has gone low, and the cycle is repeated until desirable oil levels are recovered.

    Near wellbore cleanup is also part of the winning formula behind the improved steam injection technology. Because of the presence of steam, trapped oil can also be recovered. Large companies such as Liqtech International, Inc. have ventured into this and other enhanced oil recovery systems, and the results have been admirable.

    The results have been so impressive that Nakasawa Mining and Energy Limited has finalized a deal with Liqtech International Inc.. The deal amounts to USD $2.4 million, utilizing Liqtech's top notch silicon carbide ceramic technology, and industry leading innovations. The contract is expected to last for a few years, with numerous installation projects already underway. This is certainly a good news for the two companies, as enhanced oil recovery systems such as improved steam injection have consistently proven to deliver higher Original Oil in Place percentages.

    This promising partnership has been in the works for the past months, and now that the deal has been inked, the I ndustry can expect a positive result of oil prices in the world market. Although there are still factors that are yet to be ascertained, both Liqtech Internaional Inc. and Nakasawa Mining and Energy Limited express optimism in the joint project. With the amount of capitalization involved, top notch equipment and technological know how are within reach.

    Thankfully, Liqtech International Inc. and Nakasawa Mining and Energy Limited have forged this agreement to ensure that enhanced oil recovery systems are here to stay. With the ever changing oil prices, improved steam injection technology is expected to benefit consumers, lowering the price of oil in the market. 

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The Need for Crude Oil Vapor Recovery System

Oil extraction is followed by oil storage. Crude oil is stored in tanks, which hold the oil for some time to stabilize the flow between the oil well and the pipeline. Even produced gas is held in storage tanks. During storage, light hydrocarbons, which are dissolved in the liquid, vaporize and get accumulated between the liquid and the tank roof. These hydrocarbons include methane, natural gas liquids (NGLs), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and other hazardous air pollutants (HAP). These vapors often escape to the atmosphere.

Background

The underground crude oil in the reservoir has many light hydrocarbons dissolved within. When the oil is extracted and brought to the surface, it is processed at water treatment plant for oil and gas, where many of these light hydrocarbons are removed along with water using equipments such as nitrogen separation membrane, with high-pressure and low pressure separators. Then the processed oil is stored in a tank for the purpose of sale and transportation. During storage, the remaining hydrocarbons either vaporize or get flared and vent into the air. The loss of hydrocarbons can be categorized as:
Flash loss, which occur when separator or treatment equipment dumps the oil in the storage tank.

Working loss, which occur due to changing fluid levels.

Standing loss, which occur due to daily temperature changes.

The volume of vapor emission depends on many factors. Light crude oil emits more hydrocarbon vapors than heavy crude oil. Frequent oil cycle in a tank results in higher working losses as compared to tanks in which the oil is held for longer periods. The operating temperature and pressure of oil in the vessel dumping into the tank impact the flash losses.

These vapors are both valuable and dangerous. They are valuable because they are rich in Btu and have high sale value but they are dangerous to the environment. It is, therefore, essential to recover these vapors not only for economic benefits but environmental as well.

Recovery System

To capture and prevent the release of vapors in the environment, a competent vapor recovery system needs to be in place. For this, Crude oil vapor recovery system is deployed and a vapor recovery unit (VRU) is installed and attached to the storage tank. A VRU can capture up to 95% of Btu-rich vapors which can then be used onsite as fuel or sold in the market. Currently, between 7,000 and 9,000 VRUs are installed in the oil production sector, with an average of four tanks connected to each VRU.

The proper identification of the installation of VRUs on storage tanks cannot only help save hundreds of thousands of dollars by recovering and marketing these vapors but also reduce the emission of methane and HAP in the environment.

Important Oilfield Equipments and Their Advantages

Oilfield equipments, also referred as supplementary equipments, are used by the oil producers on the onshore and offshore fields to extract oil and gas from the reservoir. These may include equipments like drilling machines, field production machines, valves, pumps etc.

There is a growing demand for energy, resulting in heavy drilling activities, which in turn has increased demand for the oilfield equipment. According to a study conducted by Grand View Research Inc., the global market for oilfield equipment is estimated to reach US dollar 127.6 billion by 2020. In 2013, the leading segment of the market was drilling equipment, which accounted for 73% of market revenue. This was followed by field production machines. The field production machinery is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3% from 2014 to 2020.

There are many types of oilfield equipments, some of them are enlisted below:

Steam Generators

The steam generators help in pushing the oil towards the surface using high pressurized steam. Saturated steam is inserted into the oil field to reduce the viscosity of oil, thus helping in its extraction. Tubes that transfer heat are arranged horizontally and treated water is pumped under pressure. Treatment of water is done at the water treatment plant for oil and gas. The water pre-heater heats the supply water, which is further heated by flue gas and then injected into the reservoir.

Advantages- Can be reprogrammed to push the oil in the opposite direction.

Highly cost effective. 
Uses advancement in control technologies.
Hollow Fiber Membrane

Hollow fiber membrane is used for the treatment of oilfield water for the purpose of recycling. Oilfield water refers to any water brought to the surface with oil or gas. It has different impacts on onshore and offshore environment, and could be a reason to worry, if not treated. The main application of hollow fiber membranes and nitrogen separation membranes involves degassing and aeration of liquids containing surfactants. Advantages-
Liquid containing surfactants can permeate quickly.

Excellent performance
Excellent durability
Eventually improves the environment.
Harbor Cranes

Harbor cranes are used for handling oil containers and work alongside ships. They have a lifting capacity of up to 200 tonnes, and can work with a radius of up to 58 meters. There are various kinds of harbor cranes - Portal Harbour Cranes, Ruber-Tyred Portal Harbour Cranes, Mobile Harbour Cranes and Floating Cranes. They are used for the efficient and reliable operation of all handling needs, whether onshore or offshore. Advantages-

Exceptional flexibility and mobility
Cost effectiveness
Versatility
Innovative drive concepts
Modular construction
Individual portal solutions

There are many other oil extraction techniques available, and within each method, there are different types of equipments that are used. With the use of these equipments, extraction of oil from reservoirs can be carried out effectively and efficiently.