The shale revolution may have led to a surge of domestic production from unconventional reservoirs, but Omer Gurpinar, technical director of EOR for Schlumberger Ltd. (NYSE: SLB), sees the need for a new transformation in oil and gas.
Pointing to an estimated average 7% recovery factor with hydraulic fracturing for unconventional reservoirs, Gurpinar spoke with Hart Energy about how bringing EOR methods to unconventionals is crucial for the industry.
“For unconventionals, EOR is a must; it’s not a luxury. We have to do it,” he said.
Gurpinar views the implementation of EOR methods in unconventional production as a “promising challenge.” The topic is already gaining attention from those interested in EOR research in shale plays.
“Basically, the momentum for increasing recovery factors for unconventionals are so high that I’m expecting there could be even new EOR schemes being created and being implemented,” he said.
If EOR efforts in unconventionals continue to grow, Gurpinar said additional technologies could be made available which would make projects much more economical.
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