Enhanced oil recovery using water as a driving fluid

Since 1950, the petroleum industry as been performing considerable research in the lab and in the field into the use of carbon dioxide to increase oil recovery from hydrocarbon reservoirs. In the last few years, about a dozen new field applications have been initiated and more could come if economically priced CO/sub 2/ supplies are found. Most oil research centers have projects relating to CO/sub 2/ flooding, indicating it's current interest and promise for further innovation. This study deals with the basic factors that may contribute to incremental oil recovery, the data required for design of a field application and the various ways in which CO/sub 2/ flooding may be carried out in the field. 27 refs.