Chemical-recovery processes have been around for decades, but have not been heavily used in North America. Of daily production of 660,000 barrels of oil from enhanced oil-recovery (EOR) projects in the United States, chemical projects contribute minimal barrels at present. That's likely to change, however. Chemical projects have proven effective in several major fields around the globe, most particularly in China. Now, proponents of these methods are working on a variety of projects in the U.S., where abundant declining oil fields offer fertile ground. Englewood, Colorado-based Tiorco Inc. has been involved in the design and application of polymer-gel treatments since 1977. "During the past year, we have seen a lot more interest in chemical technologies to improve oil recovery," says Jim C. Mack, president of the private firm. Every week, Tiorco has been fielding more inquiries from operators who are looking at the total reservoir picture and how they can recover more oil out of the entire reservoir. The surging interest is not from any breakthrough change in the technology, but rather stems from a growth in knowledge and experience with polymers, he says. Tiorco's main focus is on the application of polymer-gel technology for sweep improvement in waterfloods. "The gels allow water to contact more of the rock and sweep more of the oil out." Most of the company's work involves finding ways to improve or revive existing waterfloods. Some waterfloods are being launched, but new projects are quite limited, says Mack. "There hasn't been much drilling for oil in the U.S. during the last 10 to 15 years, so oil fields just haven't been found. Today, our business is in waterfloods that are very mature." In addition, the company has built an extremely popular sideline in the use of polymer gels to reduce water volumes in producing wells. The gel treatments can make wells more economical to produce, and can also extend the well lives and the volume of reserves. For more on this, see the December issue of Oil and Gas Investor. For a subscription, call 713-993-9320, ext. 126.