Neftyanaya Provintsiya
electronic peer-reviewed scholarly publication
Neftyanaya provintsiya No. 4(44), 2025
Using carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery: current trends in Russia and international practices
N.R. Safarov, A.T. Zaripov
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25689/NP.2025.4.184-201
N.R. Safarov, A.T. Zaripov
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25689/NP.2025.4.184-201
Abstract
usage, including injection of CO2 in gaseous, liquid, and supercritical states, cyclic injection (or Huff & Puff), carbonated water flooding, and some hybrid techniques. The study focuses on the physical-chemical mechanisms of CO₂ impact on the oil reservoir: reduction of oil viscosity, increase in oil volume due to its swelling, and inhibition of asphaltene precipitation. Supercritical CO₂ exhibits particularly high efficiency in case of heavy and highly viscous oils. The review of domestic practices includes pilot projects implemented in a number of Russian oil fields, where CO₂-EOR techniques successfully revived temporarily shut-in wells and boosted production from reservoirs containing unconventional oil reserves. International case studies, including the Permian Basin and Weyburn-Midale projects, demonstrate high efficiency of integrated CO₂-EOR and CCUS approaches, which offer both enhanced oil recovery and long-term carbon dioxide storage. The study identified key barriers to a large-scale implementation of this technology in Russia: equipment corrosion, high capital intensity, lack of CO₂ transportation infrastructure, and insufficient regulatory framework. Possible ways of overcoming these barriers have been considered, including adaptation of international practices, development of pipeline networks, and enhanced state support. The study confirms that CO₂-EOR is not only an efficient enhanced oil recovery method, but also a key element of the oil industry decarbonization strategy. Successful implementation of such projects could become a driver for dual transformation: maintaining the industry's competitiveness and meeting climate commitments, which is particularly important in the context of modern energy challenges.
Key words:
carbon dioxide, enhanced oil recovery, supercritical CO2, carbonated water, oil recovery efficiency, CCUS
References
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Authors
N.R. Safarov, Engineer, Geophysical Study and Log Data Interpretation Department, TatNIPIneft Institute – PJSC Tatneft
88, Telman St., 423451, Almetyevsk, Russian Federation
E-mail: SafarovNR@tatneft.ru
A.T. Zaripov, DSc (Engineering), First Deputy Director, TatNIPIneft Institute – PJSC Tatneft
186а, Sovetskaya St., 426462, Almetyevsk, Russian Federation
E-mail: zat@tatnipi.ru
For citation:
N.R. Safarov, A.T. Zaripov Primeneniye uglekislogo gaza dlya povysheniya nefteotdachi plastov: sovremennyye tendentsii v Rossii i mirovoy opyt [Using carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery: current trends in Russia and international practices]. Neftyanaya Provintsiya, No. 4(44), 2025. pp. 184-201. DOI https://doi.org/10.25689/NP.2025.4.184-201. EDN FELZKS (in Russian)
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