Enhanced oil recovery using synthesis gas derived from natural gas. Final report, March 1990

A concept for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) using synthesis gas injection to simultaneously produce and upgrade heavy oils and bitumens is described. The concept can use raw synthesis gas produced by a variety of methods such as steam reforming, partial oxidation, gasification, and pyrolysis. Feedstocks can include methane (natural gas), liquid hydrocarbons, fuel oil, crude oil, and bitumen. The report presents an overview and an evaluation of the concept, a description of various synthesis gas production technologies, a description of gas injection and production concepts, information on U.S. heavy oil and bitumen reserves and their amendability to the synthesis-gas EOR concept, a technical and economic evaluation of the concept, a developmental plan for commercialization of the concept, and the results of an environmental fatal flaw analysis. Appendixes provide details of the technical and economic evaluation prepared by a subcontractor, Fluor Daniel.