High-pressure air injection (HPAI) and waterflood performance comparison of two adjacent units in Buffalo Field

In 1987, 8,000 acres of the Buffalo field were divided into two units to initiate improved oil recovery operations (IOR) with two different methods: high-pressure air injection (HPAI) and waterflooding. After collecting 18 years of production history a technical and economic comparison has been made between the two projects.; Throughout the years, the West Buffalo Red River Unit (WBRRU) under HPAI has technically outperformed its "twin" West Buffalo "B" Red River Unit (WBBRRU) under waterflooding. However, the waterflood project has shown greater economic benefit, which results primarily from the low oil prices (less than {dollar}20/bbl) experienced during most of their operating lives.; This case study shows that HPAI is a technically feasible process. Nevertheless, in order to be to be successful not only technically but also economically, a sufficiently high oil price (greater than {dollar}25/bbl) is needed due mainly to the high operating costs and capital investment.