AIR INJECTION AS ALTERNATIVE FOR IMPROVING OIL RECOVERY: A PILOT PROJECT IN HANDIL FIELD OF TOTAL INDONESIE

Handil field is entering its final conventional oil recovery phase. Two tertiary oil recovery methods have been selected: lean gas injection project and air injection project for which a field pilot is selected. The injection of high pressure air (180 barg) will initiate the combustion reactions and generate high temperature thermal front. The expected flue gas (85% N2, 13%CO2 and 2% CO) will sweep the oil. The main objective is to increase recovery factor by 5-7%. This method is generally accepted as a new technology for water flooded reservoir. The pilot consists of: • 6 stages air compressor located at Central Processing Area. • Injection line (2.5” – 2.65 km). • Wells: o One injection well HI-1 o One observation well HO-1 o One production well HP-1 o Two water injection wells: HW-1 and HW-2 for reservoir isolation. • Temporary Nitrogen barge for inerting the injector well HI-1. Risks associated with abnormal high temperature well and presence of air have been evaluated.