CO2 Utilization for Enhanced Oil Recovery in High-Salinity Reservoirs: A Sustainable Pressure and Production Optimization Solution for the Raleigh Oil Field

This study investigates the potential of carbon dioxide-enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) as a method for increasing oil production and reducing atmospheric CO2 emissions in the Raleigh Oil Field, Mississippi. Utilizing CMG WinPropTM software, eight gas injection scenarios, including CO2, methane, nitrogen, LPG, and enriched gas, were simulated to evaluate their effectiveness based on multiple contact miscibility (MCM), first-contact miscibility (FCM), and swelling factor. Results indicate that CO2 and enriched gas are optimal choices due to their favorable miscibility and swelling characteristics, with CO2 demonstrating superior performance at lower pressures. The study emphasizes the environmental advantages of CO2-EOR, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and highlights its feasibility for maintaining reservoir pressure and enhancing recovery in fields with declining pressure. While LPG offers the best miscibility performance, its high cost makes CO2 a more practical option. The findings recommend initiating CO2-EOR when reservoir pressure reaches the bubble point (3,250 psi) to optimize recovery and address challenges posed by high water salinity, which restricts water flooding. This research underscores the importance of selecting cost-effective and efficient gas injection strategies to balance economic and environmental objectives in oil recovery.