The Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute, or EORI, aims to propel energy technology and innovation forward for the benefit of oil producers and the state of Wyoming.
The Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute was in the spotlight this week as Camille Erickson from the Casper Star Tribune reported on their presence in the Casper community and the technologies and innovations the group brings to oil producers and the state of Wyoming.
The article discusses the recent move of EORI from Laramie to Casper under the tutelage of Director Steven Carpenter. EORI is a University of Wyoming ‘Research Center for Excellence” but Casper is a better location to strengthen the agency’s connection to energy entrepreneurs and technology developers. EORI is located in a wing of the Wyoming Technology Business Center on King Boulevard adjacent to the Wyoming Pipeline Authority.
EORI provides independent operators throughout the state with access to relevant research conducted by the institute’s robust staff of geologists, engineers and economists. The article also highlights the work EORI does to pinpoint problems that affect the oil industry in Wyoming and to vet new technologies to boost the state’s oil production and maximize efficiency for secondary recovery. This helps de-risk new technologies for companies operating within the state. Their work is then published into the public domain to be shared for the benefit of all Wyoming oil industry stakeholders.
One example of that process that is highlighted in the article is the 2018 partnership with Merit Energy to test methods for identifying stranded oil reserves. Fields that have produced wells in the past hold residual oil that were not economically recoverable but operators can potentially reach the remaining oil in these stranded reserves using new technology such as injecting water into wells to increase underground pressure to push out additional oil. The problem is that it can be difficult to identify which injection wells would be effective candidates. This study partially funded by EORI ultimately provided an additional 80 barrels and 150MBO reserves for Merit Energy along with associated taxes flowing back to the state.
EORI is now looking for Wyoming oil and gas operators to participate in a new study on paraffin problems. Paraffin is a substance that can accumulate on equipment and slow down production. Potential operators who want to participate in the study can contact EORI and apply. The study will select 15 wells to test out its Microbial Treatment Field Test Study. Qualifying wells will be selected on May 1st.
To see the entire article in the Casper Star Tribune by Camille Erickson click here.