SPE-177105-MS

Identification of Enhanced Oil Recovery Potential in Ecuador

J.A. Condor Tarco, Universidad Central del Ecuador-SENESCYT; G.R. Pinto Arteaga, S. Achig Merino,
Universidad Central del Ecuador; J.M. Romo Estrella, Secretaria de Hidrocarburos del Ecuador

Copyright 2015, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference held in Quito, Ecuador, 1820 November 2015.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any
position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written
consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may
not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract
The objective of this paper is to identify the EOR potential of the Ecuadorian Amazon Region also known as Oriente Basin.
The EOR methods are grouped into three: gas injection, enhanced waterflooding, and thermal. 150 oilfields and 410 reservoirs
were studied as part of this work.
This study first evaluates the type of EOR method applicable to the oilfields located in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region, also
known as screening. The EOR methods evaluated were:
Nitrogen injection
CO2 injection
Hydrocarbon injection
Immiscible injection
Polymer flood
SP / ASP injection
Steam injection, and
Combustion in situ
The reservoirs analyzed for all 150 oilfields were:
Basal Tena
Napo M-1 Sand
Napo M-2 Sand
Napo U Upper, Middle, and Lower
Napo T Sand
Hollin
The necessary inputs or reservoir data for this evaluation came from the Petroleum Information Databank or BIPE, a project
from Secretariat of Hydrocarbons of Ecuador (SHE).
The evaluation is not detailed since the objective of this study is to provide a first guide of the theoretical potential of EOR
methods in Ecuador. Those fields with more potential than others can go for further details. Due to the reservoir characteristics
in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region, the most applicable EOR methods are immiscible gas followed by chemicals (Polymers
and surfactants). Additional analyses should be done in order to identify the effects of the waterdrive mechanism in most of the
oilfields. The CO2 miscible flood could work, but there are no near natural or anthropogenic sources. The results of this study
do not cover either the economic-finance or the legal issues that can affect the implementation of the EOR technology. A
second stage of a similar study should evaluate these aspects.
This study is the first work available to public based on data provided by official sources of the Ecuadorian Government. This
study can be used for industry, government, and academy as guide for developing or modifying current hydrocarbon legislation.

SPE-177105-MS

1. The Ecuadorian Oil Industry

Petroleum in Ecuador represented approximately 80 per cent of the primary energy consumption in 2013.
From an average production of 550 thousand barrels of oil per day (200 million barrels annually),
approximately 70 per cent is exported. This represents more than 50 per cent of the total country trade
(EIA, 2015).
1.1. Organization of the Oil Industry
The Ministry of Hydrocarbons (Ministerio de Hidrocarburos) is responsible for energy policy decisions,
while the Secretariat of Hydrocarbons (Secretara de Hidrocarburos) is in charge of subscription,
modification, and administration of areas and contracts, and the Hydrocarbons Regulation and Control
Agency (Agencia de Regulacin y Control Hidrocarburfero) regulates the oil sector. National oil
companies Petroamazonas, and Operaciones Rio Napo, a joint venture between Petroecuador and PDVSA,
are in charge of the upstream activities accounting for almost 70 percent of oil production.

Ministerio de Hidrocarburos

Agencia de Regulacin y
Control Hidrocarburfero

Secretara de
Hidrocarburos

National Oil Companies

Petroamazonas
Operaciones Rio Napo

Petroecuador

Upstream

Downstream

Private Oil Companies

Figure 1: Organization of the Oil Industry in Ecuador

1.2. Tariff System for oil exploitation

In 2010, the Ecuadorian government changed production-sharing contracts to a fee-for-service model. In
2012, few hybrid contracts were signed, where oil service companies have a role of financing investments
and taking risks.
Reforms to Hydrocarbons Law provided the legal framework to renegotiate new contracts with foreign
oil companies. Some general features of the new service contract are that the state receives an initial
payment of 25 percent of gross revenue as a sovereign margin, while companies receive a negotiated
per barrel tariff for oil produced. These tariffs are negotiated independently between the Government of
Ecuador and the companies. General aspects of these new contracts can be summarized as follows:
The tariff system is determined by the contractor based on the calculated cost of production per
barrel of oil. The profitability must be in the range of 15 to 30 percent. As reference, the average
cost for producing a barrel of oil by Petroamazonas was 8.59 US$ in January 2014 (Petroamazonas,
2015)
The reserves are calculated by the contractor.
The tariff changes inversely with the production.

SPE-177105-MS

Table 1: Tariffs for oil produced (Petroamazonas 2014)

Company

Average production
(bbls/d)

Block/Oilfield

Exploitation
Agip oil
Andes Petroleum
Consorcio Bloque 16
Consorcio Tivacuno
Consorcio Bloque 14
Consorcio Bloque 17
Sipetrol
Sipetrol
Sipetrol
Consorcio Palanda Yuca
Consorcio Petrosud
Tecpecuador
Petrobell
Pacifpetrol
Consorcio Pegaso
Exploration
Consorcio DGC
Consorcio Interpec
PECS Ieconsta
Sipetrol

Bloque 10
Tarapoa
Bloque 16
Tivacuno
Bloque 14
Bloque 17
Mauro Dvalos
Mauro Dvalos Incremental
PBHI
Palanda-Yuca Sur
Pindo
Bermejo-Rayo
Tiguino
Gustavo Galindo
Puma

Tariff

15,200
34,100
39,520
4,200
5,600
8,000
7,400
4,500
2,100
2,000
5,600
3,600
3,700
1,200
1,800

Singue
Ocano-Pena Blanca
Eno-Ron
Jambel

35.00
35.00
35.95
27.25
41.00
41.00
16.72
18.28
20.77
31.90
28.50
24.00
29.60
58.00
21.10
33.50
32.90
36.60
To be defined

1.3. Oil Reserves (SHE, 2012)

The definitions of reserves according to the Secretariat of Hydrocarbons (SHE) are as follows:
Proven reserves: volumes of oil in reservoir proven by well drilling that can be recovered until a
limit of commercialization.
Probable reserves: volumes of oil with a high degree of certainty not yet proven but located in areas
nearby to the proven reserves.
Possible reserves: estimated volumes of oil that can be recovered from reservoir. These volumes can
exist in areas where geologic and seismic information cannot classify them with certainty.
Remnant reserves: volumes of recoverable oil still in reservoir, quantified at any time after the
beginning of commercial production.
Table 2: Reserves in Ecuador until December 31, 2012

Amazon Region

Producing
National Oil
Non Producing
Companies
Exploratory Prospects

Coast

Oilfields

National and
Producing and nonPrivate
producing
Companies

Private Oil Producing

Companies Non Producing

Total:

OOIP

Reserves
Proven

Probable

Possible

17,334.6

5,666.3

260.4

20.3

11,060.3

1,460.9

30.7

1,530.6

856.2

Cumulative
Production
4,008.3

Remnant
Reserves
1,657.9
1,460.9

112.6

4,757.5

1,177.9

81.0

83.2

927.6

251.2

8.4

0.2

8.2

1,497.4

131.6

128.2

3.4

34,730.8

8,445.1

5,064.1

3,381.6

374.3

1,663.5

Additionally, Ecuador has approximately 130 million of barrels equivalent of petroleum (bep) in form of
natural gas as original gas in place (OGIP) with remnant reserves of 73 million of bep

SPE-177105-MS

2. Identification of EOR Potential in Ecuador

2.1. Petroamazonas production forecasting

2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022

Base
521
513
488
442
392
344
303
269
240
215

Table 3: Ecuador oil production forecasting (Madrid, 2014)

Optimization IOR/EOR
ITT Pungarayacu Suroriente
5
32
1
1
69
1
1
85
11
41
87
30
152
3
86
57
161
10
79
79
188
30
14
73
102
214
101
51
67
124
211
101
85
62
139
192
101
81

Total
526
547
559
579
664
658
693
810
828
790

Figure 2: Ecuador Oil Production Forecasting 2013-2022

The Ecuadorian Amazon Region (EAR) has been exploited for over forty years. During this period
medium and light oil have been produced leaving as remnant heavy and extra-heavy oil. Currently an
estimated 50 percent of the remnant reserves are heavy and extra-heavy. The development of this type of
oil would require complex technologies and strict environmental performance since these reserves are
located in sensible and pristine areas. Rivadeneira (2014) indicates that future discoveries in the EAR
would be in the order of 2 to 5 million barrels are average. Rivadeneira also mentions that the future of
the oil exploration in Ecuador should be directed to stratigraphic traps, limestones, and pre-Cretaceous.

SPE-177105-MS

9.000

8,635
MMBLS

8.000

Ishpingo

TOTAL CUMULATIVE
RESERVES

7.000

MMBLS

6.000
5.000
4.000

6,871
MMBLS

Pungarayacu
Yuturi
Cononaco
Cuyabeno
Oglan

CUMULATIVE
PRODUCING
RESERVES

TiputiniTambococha
Auca

3.000
2.000

TOTAL
CUMULATIVE
PRODUCTION

Sacha
Shushufindi

1.000

4,760
MMBLS

2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

2000

1998

1996

1994

1992

1990

1988

1986

1984

1982

1980

1978

1976

1974

1972

1970

1968

1966

Figure 3: Historic evolution of discoveries of reserves in Ecuador (Rivadeneira, 2014)

2.2. Main reservoirs and oilfields in Ecuador

The formations Hollin and Napo have the best reservoirs in the Oriente Basin: Hollin, T, U, and M1, all
of them sandstones. Marginal reservoirs are the sandstones Basal Tena and M2, and the limestones A, B,
M2, and M1.

Figure 4: Main reservoirs in the Oriente Basin (Condor, 2001)

SPE-177105-MS

2.3. EOR contracts

In October 2014 Petroamazonas signed six contracts with five consortiums to boost oil production in 17
mature oilfields. These consortiums will invest approximately $ 2.12 billion in a period of five years to
increase reserves in 171 million barrels. The investment will be in technologies of optimization and
EOR/IOR. The consortiums will receive a tariff for each additional barrel of production, which in total
would reach 107,000 barrels daily or approximately 20 percent of the Ecuadorian current oil production.
These contracts are under the legal definition of Specific Integrated Services Provision with Financing
which means that the operator is still Petroamazonas, but the investment risk belongs to the contractors.
Table 4: EOR contracts
Reserves (mm bbl)
#

Consortium

Companies

Kamana
Schlumberger
Services S.A.
Tecpetrol
Tecpetrol

Oilfield

Servicios
Petroleros
Igap

253.8

19.1

205.7

48.0

Paacocha

21.7

12.2

11.9

9.8

Tumali

2.8

0.6

0.4

2.4

216.8

0.0

161.0

55.8

Consorcio
Paaturi
Sinopec

Servicios
Petroleros
Igap

Pata
Halliburton

Sinopec Inter
Sinopec
Service

Halliburton

Santa Elena

YPF Ecuador YPF

Total

Sertecpet

Cumulative
EOR /
Remnant Optimiz
Production
IOR

Edn-Yuturi

Lago Agrio
2

Proven Probable

Investments (mm US$)

Total

397.4

304.4

701.8

474.0

104.9

579.3

315.7

86.2

401.9

186.3

53.8

240.0

3.1

1.0

2.3

0.8

Palo Azul

110.6

0.0

84.3

26.3

Pucuna

26.2

13.7

22.2

4.0

Charapa

7.2

0.0

1.7

5.5

Indillana

117.4

1.4

106.7

10.6

Limoncocha

71.4

0.0

61.0

10.4

Yanaquincha
Este

21.7

5.3

12.9

8.8

VHR

54.7

0.0

43.6

11.0

TipishcaHuaico

16.6

0.0

7.8

8.8

Araza

3.2

6.0

0.5

2.6

Chanangue

2.5

0.0

0.1

2.4

Pacoa

3.6

0.0

1.7

2.0

6.0

0.0

6.0

Yuralpa

52.9

1.1

37.1

15.7

158.4

33.5

191.9

986.2

60.4

760.9

224.9

1,538.2

582.7 2,120.9

SPE-177105-MS

Figure 5: Location of the oilfields to implement EOR/IOR

2.4. Methodology used to identify the EOR potential

The methodology consisted in three stages:
a) Compile all available information from the Petroleum Information Databank (BIPE). Since much of
this information was not complete, average values were included depending on similar
characteristics of the reservoirs. For this purpose, the study Hydrocarbon Prospectivity Map was
used. This report identified six geologic trains with hydrocarbon prospectivity (Beicip Franlab,
2012)
b) Establish screening criteria based on Taber (2007) with data from BIPE. Tables 5 and 6 are samples
of the database prepared for hits study
c) Based on the EOR method more appropriate for a specific reservoir, calculate the incremental
reserves for the reservoir and for the oilfield. There were three EOR methods:
- Gas injection: Nitrogen, hydrocarbon, Carbon Dioxide, and immiscible
- Enhanced Waterflooding: Polymer, and SP / ASP
- Thermal Mechanical: Steam, and Combustion

SPE-177105-MS

Sur Oriente
Oil Field

Bermejo

Frontera

Victor Hugo Ruales

Lago Agrio

Proven oil trend

40 km
Vinita

NAPO BASIN

Inferred oil trend

Capirn N.

Pungarayacu
Yuralpa

Tiguino

Tiputini
Tambococha
Ishpingo Norte
Ishpingo Sur

Iro

Cachiyacu
Ogln

Curaray
Villano
Moretococha

(6)
SUR ORIENTE BASIN

(5)
San Jacinto

(4)

Forestal
Carmen

Shiviyacu

Bartra

Huayuri

(3)

(2)
(1)

Tigre

Jibaro
Capahuari Norte
Dorissa
Jibarito
Capahuari sur
Ceci
Tambo
Situche Norte-1

Figure 6: Mapa de trenes de prospectividad hidrocarburfera

Table 5: Samples from the inputs database

Reserves
Block Operator Train Oilfield Reservoir

57

PAM

Atacapi

Tinf
Tsup
Uinf
Usup

Block Operator Train Oilfield Reservoir

57

PAM

Atacapi

Tinf
Tsup
Uinf
Usup

OOIP

FR Proven Probable Possible

75.05
10.02
74.19
24.58

40
40
50
20

30.02
4.01
37.09
4.92

3.30
0.54
1.00
0.60

Cumulative
Production
10.99
1.71
27.47
1.05

Inputs for screening

API Viscosity Saturation Rock Thickness Compos
33.4
1.04
0.65
S
55
C2-C7
31.4
1.46
0.36
S
32
C2-C7
30.9
2.19
0.45
S
45
C2-C7
30.9
1.52
0.68
S
66
C2-C7

Depth
9,585
9,546
9,300
9,000

Remnant
19.02
2.30
9.62
3.86

Temp
238
213
209
208

Perm
100
300
650
600

SPE-177105-MS

Table 6: Samples from the outputs database

Block Operator Train Oilfield

57

PAM

Reservoir

Tinf
Tsup
Atacapi
Uinf
Usup

Results Screening (%)

Gas Injection Methods
Enhanced WF
N2 HC CO2 Immiscible Polymer SP / ASP
30 60 67
67
30
73
20 60 56
67
30
64
30 60 44
67
30
73
30 60 56
67
30
82

Thermal
Steam Combustion
50
75
50
67
60
67
70
75

Figure 7: Graphical output for the screening

2.5. Results
After reviewing 410 reservoirs distributed in 150 oilfields, the EOR potential in Ecuador gives a range of
values between 700 to 750 million barrels distributed in the following methods:
Table 7: Summary of the EOR potential
Gas Injection
# of oilfields
Incremental reserves
(mm bls)

Enhanced WF

Thermal

N2

CO2

HC

Immiscible

Polymer

SP/ASP

Steam

Combustion

24

63

16

14

27

0.25

0.48

29.06

489.19

6.68

12.87

3.91

199.82

Table 8: Incremental Reserves through the Use of EOR methods in Producing Oilfields - NOC
Oilfield

Train

Aguajal
4
Araza
4
Armadillo
4
Atacapi
4
Auca-Auca S.
4
Auca Este
4
Blanca
5
Chanangue
4
Charapa
3
Cobra
4
Coca Payamin 3
Condorazo
4
Condorazo SE 4
Conga Norte
4
Conga Sur
4
Cononaco
4
Cristal
3
Culebra-Yuleb 4
Cuyaben-San
5
Drago
4
Drago E
4
Drago N
4
Dumbique
5
Dumbique S
5
Frontera
4
Edn-Yuturi
5
Gacela
4
Guanta-Duren 4
Indillana
4-5
Jaguar
3
Lago Agrio
3
Libertador
4
Limoncocha
4
Lobo
4
Mono
4
Oso
3
Oso N
3
Paka N
4
Paka S
4
Palmar O
4
Pameras N
4
Palo Azul
3
Paacocha
5
Panayacu
5
Parahuacu
4
Pata
3
Pucuna
3
Quinde
5
Rubi
3
Rumiyacu
4
Sacha
4
SSF-Aguarico 4
TTT-Tapi
4
Tipishca-Huaic 5
Tuich
4
Tumali SE
5
Tuntiak
4
VHR
5
Vinita
5
Yanahurco
5
Yanaquinch N 4
Yanaquinch E 4
Yanaquinch O 4
Yuca
4
Yuralpa
3

OOIP
56.93
39.19
15.62
183.84
1,261.90
14.10
9.83
10.92
29.17
2.00
296.34
9.72
47.70
28.96
59.52
337.03
11.47
348.09
460.72
10.44
31.15
86.05
5.80
5.53
31.98
1,084.77
69.92
334.84
516.38
29.86
587.67
1,278.02
275.31
78.12
61.84
395.76
129.71
57.79
93.10
73.17
27.20
326.69
199.32
4.55
147.81
49.49
158.70
28.35
7.63
18.88
3,501.14
3,077.48
95.19
86.04
9.05
10.58
6.95
156.74
68.90
0.75
11.61
113.72
170.21
258.53
347.87

Remnant
Reserves
2,12
2.61
3.33
34.81
128.21
2.59
0.85
2.38
5.54
0.18
11.44
2.72
14.62
4.71
9.27
22.32
3.42
36.24
45.73
2.18
5.01
20.78
0.74
0.25
2.65
48.02
0.55
24.37
10.62
0.00
55.83
92.77
10.43
1.34
0.40
36.53
34.40
14.12
8.23
5.35
3.02
26.32
9.83
0.15
14.44
0.83
3.97
5.83
2.43
3.67
390.59
400.87
4.79
8.79
1.02
2.36
0.04
11.04
5.52
0.21
2.29
8.79
4.87
22.88
15.74

N2

Gas Injection
HC
CO2

Incremental reserves
Enhanced WF
Immisci Polymer SP / ASP

Thermal
Steam Combust
1.20
0.82

0.34
4.96
26.50
0.30
0.22
0.24
0.64
0.04
6.52
0.22
1.10
0.67
1.37
7.41
0.13
8.01
10.60
0.20
0.59
1.63
0.06
0.06
0.86
23.86
1.36
7.37
11.36
12.93
28.12
6.06
1.52
1.21
8.71
2.85
1.56
1.96
1.98
0.53
7.19
4.39
0.12
3.25
1.14
3.49
0.38
0.21
0.43
77.03
67.70
2.09
1.89
0.18
0.21
0.14
3.45
1.52
0.01
0.26
2.50
3.74
5.43
7.65

Table 9: Incremental Reserves through the Use of EOR methods in Non-Producing Oilfields - NOC
Oilfield

Train

OOIP

Reserves
N2

Aguarico O
Amazonas
Apaika-Nenke
Balsaura
Chonta E
Conambo
Curaray
Danta
Huito
Ishpingo N
Ishpingo S
Maraon
Mascarey
Pungarayacu
Shionayacu
Shiripungo
Tamboc-Tiputi

5
5
5
5
4
5
4
4
5
6
6
5
3
2
4
4
6

7.18
56.10
168.88
21.30
6.66
225.07
70.00
137.61
222.92
1,063.90
2,133.20
17.23
9.17
4,509.80
9.92
83.88
2,317.50

3.14
5.61
50.31
4.26
2.04
33.76
14.00
24.77
26.75
164.19
309.81
2.59
2.75
315.69
1.19
13.42
486.68

Gas Injection
HC
CO2

Incremental reserves
Enhanced WF
Immisci Polymer SP / ASP
0.14

Thermal
Steam Combust

1.29
3.72
0.58
0.09
4.95
1.47
3.03
4.90
23.41
46.93
0.47
0.25
94.71
0.19
1.85
48.67

Table 10: Incremental Reserves through the Use of EOR methods in Exploratory Prospects - NOC
Oilfield

Train

OOIP

Reserves
N2

Aguas Negras
Armadillo S
Bodoquera
Cuyabeno O
Imuya
Lagarto
Quilla
Sansahuari O
Vista SE
Zabalo
Zamona

5
2

4
5

63.03
62.49
59.85
15.32
242.22
51.64
20.33
31.93
53.17
210.18
46.01

12.61
10.45
12.87
3.83
34.64
12.91
4.07
7.98
10.63
31.53
8.56

Incremental reserves
Gas Injection
Enhanced WF
HC
CO2
Immisci Polymer SP / ASP
1.45

Thermal
Steam Combust
1.31

1.32
0.30
5.33
1.19
0.40
0.86
1.17
4.62
0.87

12

SPE-177105-MS

Table 11: Incremental Reserves through the Use of EOR methods in Producing Oilfields Private Companies
Oilfield
Alice
Amo
Bermejo N
Bermejo S
Biguno
Bogi-Capiron
Cachiyacu
Chorongo
Chorongo E
Colibri
Dabo S
Daimi
Dorine
El Rayo
Esperanza
Fanny 18B
Ginta-Dabo
Hormiguero
Hormiguero S
Huachito
Iro
Joan
Kupi
Mahogany
Mariann
Mariann 4A
Mauro Davalo
Nantu
Nantu S
Ocano
Palanda
Paraiso
Pea Blanca
Pindo
Pindo E
Primavera
Puma
Shirley
Singue
Sonia
Tiguino
Tiguino N
Tivacuno
Tivacuno SO
Villano
Wanke-Sunka
Wati
Yuca S

Train
5
5
2
2
3
5
4
5
5
5
6
5
5
2
5
5
4
4
3
5
5
4
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
3
4
5
4

OOIP
47.47
405.49
54.56
191.82
29.75
229.93
3.37
2.85
1.00
1.20
5.28
252.68
228.13
11.24
10.45
253.53
228.33
88.00
34.96
64.18
481.57
1.34
10.23
8.20
52.82
25.88
428.39
62.20
2.57
9.52
25.09
209.48
21.25
93.27
5.20
2.36
80.03
19.91
9.15
6.30
120.92
2.22
83.76
19.23
650.50
51.97
70.54
59.38

Remnant
Reserves
2.60
7.91
0.27
2.02
0.22
4.09
0.08
0.09
0.20
0.25
0.26
9.82
12.47
0.62
2.82
26.57
6.67
7.77
0.48
4.26
16.47
0.00
0.58
0.13
3.10
1.47
48.56
3.35
0.00
1.95
0.63
16.73
4.98
6.47
0.26
0.00
3.64
0.19
2.04
0.20
2.81
0.00
3.68
1.14
38.69
2.69
0.18
1.79

N2

Incremental reserves
Gas Injection
Enhanced WF
HC
CO2
Immisci Polymer SP / ASP
1.09
8.92

Thermal
Steam Combust

1.15
4.03
0.65
5.06
0.08
0.06
0.02
0.02
0.12
5.56
5.02
0.24
0.28
5.58
5.02
1.85
0.73
1.35
10.59
0.03
0.23
0.22
1.16
0.57
9.42
1.37
0.06
0.21
0.55
4.61
0.41
1.96
0.12
0.05
1.76
0.44
0.20
0.14
2.54
0.04
1.84
0.42
14.31
1.09
1.55
1.25

SPE-177105-MS

13

Table 12: Incremental Reserves through the Use of EOR in Non-Producing Oilfields Private Companies
Oilfield
Aleluya
Anne
Awant
Moretococha
Palanda S
Tapi
Tarapoa 2
Tarapoa S
Yampuna

Train
5
5
4
3
4
4
5
5
4

OOIP
0.50
0.01
13.50
40.00
0.74
18.99
1.13
0.02
6.09

Remnant
Reserves

N2

0.05
0.00
1.35
4.00
0.11
1.90
0.17
0.00
0.78

Gas Injection
HC
CO2

Incremental reserves
Enhanced WF
Thermal
Immisci Polymer SP / ASP Steam Combust
0.01

0.00
0.28
0.84
0.02
0.51
0.03
0.00
0.13

3. Discussion: What is still lacking in EOR in Ecuador?

Ecuador has been exploiting oil for over forty years using mainly primary methods. There are few pilot
projects for waterflooding with no clear results. Most of the reservoirs have bottom and lateral aquifers
which limit the application of either secondary or EOR methods.
Since the EOR methods are relatively new for Ecuador, there is a need for defining basic concepts such
as enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and improved oil recovery (IOR). These definitions are important since
the government pays tariffs based on the technology implemented.
Also in other jurisdictions universities play an important role in the research, development, demonstration,
and deployment of new technologies. Ecuadorian universities should play a pivotal role in research and
development (R&D). The collaboration between industry and university will allow the execution of pilot
projects which would demonstrate if a technology is applicable under determined circumstances. After
the successful demonstration of several pilot projects, the government should facilitate policies for
deployment of a specific technology.
The relation between government, university, and industry was described by Jorge Sabato in 1968 to
overcome Latin Americas state of under development (Hatakeyama, 2004). In this relation the
government is the designer and executor of policies, the University provides the scientific and
technological infrastructure, and the industry demand technology.
Government

Industry

University
Figure 8: Sabatos triangle

Research and development drives innovation and innovation drives long run economic growth, creating
jobs and improving living standards in the process. University-based research is of particular importance

14

SPE-177105-MS

to innovation, as the early-stage research that is typically performed at universities serves to expand the
knowledge pool from which the private sector draws ideas and innovation.

4. References
Beicip Franlab, 2012. Mapa de trenes de prospectividad hidrocarburfera. June 2012.
Condor J. EOR Techniques as a Sustainable Development Tool for the Ecuadorian Amazon Region.
Thesis M.Sc. in Energy and Environment. University of Calgary. June 2001
Energy Information Administration. Report on Ecuador International Energy Data and Analysis. U.S>
Department of Energy. March 2015.
Hatakeyama, K; Ruppel, D. Sabatos Triangle and International Academic Cooperation: The Importance
of Extra-Relations for the Latin American Enhancement. International Conference on Engineering
Education and Research Progress through Partnership. ISSN 1562-3580
Madrid O. Atractivo de las Rondas de Licitacin desde una Perspectiva Empresarial. Presentacin de
Petroamazonas E.P. Marzo 2014.
Petroamazonas E.P. Plan Estratgico 2014-2017. Documento PAM EP PLN-001.
Petroamazonas E.P. Available on internet at www.petroamazonas.gob.ec/. Accessed on August 2015
Rivadeneira M. Breve Resea Histrica de la Exploracin Petrolera de la Cuenca Oriente. Page 256-262.
Octubre 2014
Secretariat of Hydrocarbons (SHE). Reservas Oficiales para Diciembre 2012.
Taber J.J.; Martin, F.D.; Seright, R.S. EOR Screening Criteria Revisited Part 1: Introduction to
Screening Criteria and Enhanced Recovery Field Projects. SPE paper 35385. August 1997
Taber J.J.; Martin, F.D.; Seright, R.S. EOR Screening Criteria Revisited Part 2: Applications and Impact
of Oil Prices. SPE paper 39234. August 1997