UW Institute Successful in Recovering Stranded Oil from Wyoming Soil

March 11, 2011
Three men
Researchers study exploration data in the Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute's maps laboratory. From left are Glen Murrell, Mark Tomasso and Brian Reyes. (UW Photo)

Recent work conducted by researchers at the Wyoming Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute (EORI) has identified millions of barrels of recoverable oil.

"The EORI continues its successful mission of working with Wyoming operators to provide technical assistance to develop enhanced recovery methods to recover stranded oil in some of the state's vintage oil fields," says Peter Wold, chairman of the state's Enhanced Oil Recovery Commission. Wold summarizes of the EORI's promising recent findings:

Wind River Basin --  A geologic and reservoir study of Grieve Field for Elk Petroleum of Casper shows potential recovery of 20 million barrels of oil from injection of CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the Muddy reservoir.

Powder River Basin -- EORI led technical geologic and reservoir studies for a consortium of operators in the Minnelusa Formation that has stimulated two 3-dimensional seismic surveys to improve infill drilling strategies. The work also revised waterflooding patterns resulting in a potential increase of nearly four million barrels recovery in one field.

The EOR Commission is funded by the state of Wyoming to support the EORI, with members appointed by the governor. Located at the University of Wyoming, EORI engages in cooperative and contractual agreements with independent producers, and offers short courses, workshops and technical outreach meetings to assist in the transfer of current EOR technologies to Wyoming producers.

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