Research

The research of SUPRI-A is relevant to so-called unconventional resources that are hard to produce with conventional techniques. Unconventional resources of current interest to the group are heavy and viscous oils and fractured, heterogenous porous media containing hydrocarbons. The SUPRI-A mission is twofold. First, we educate and train the next generation of energy resource engineers. Second, we research a spectrum of techniques relevant to the production of unconventional resources. This spectrum includes optimal primary recovery, an understanding of secondary recovery options, gas injection methods such as steam, air, and carbon dioxide, and chemical methods to augment water or gas injection. A suite of recovery methods is reflected here to addresss teh braod range of flow, rock and geomechanical characteristics of unconventional hydrocarbon resources.

With respect to the future, our core areas of research remain unchanged, but significant new effort is envisioned. In addition to the dynamics of unstable flows, we plan an examination of the role of noncondensable gases on the gravity drainage of viscous oil from heterogeneous media. We will continue our efforts to develop cost-effective methods to produce oil and gas from tight rocks, such as diatomite, siliceous shale, and coal as well as consider the use of polymers and surfactants to enable cold production.

Multiphase Flow and Rock Properties

A longtime area of research for us, we are currently studying the investigation of unstable, mutiphase flows in porous media.

Hot Fluid Injection

In the area of thermal oil production, we continue our active program on the flow of high temperature fluids in porous media.

In-Situ Combustion

The in-situ combustion process has been shown to be more energy efficient per barrel of oil produced in comparison to steam. Our efforts in this area continue.

Coal Bed Methane

We are carrying on investigation on the topics of coal bed methane adsorption and carbon dioxide sequestration into coalbeds.