Oil & Gas Geology ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (5): 1664-1681.doi: 10.11743/ogg20250517

• Methods and Technologies • Previous Articles    

Practices and research for enhanced shale oil recovery in the Qingcheng oilfield, Ordos Basin

Xiaobing NIU1(), Jianming FAN2,3(), Chao ZHANG2,3, Yilin REN2,3, You’an HE2,3, Rui CHANG2,3, Liangbing CHENG2,3   

  1. 1.Changqing Oilfield Company,PetroChina,Xi’an,Shaanxi 710018,China
    2.National Engineering Laboratory for Exploration and Development of Low-Permeability Oil & Gas Fields,Xi’an,Shaanxi 710018,China
    3.Research Institute of Exploration and Development,Changqing Oilfield Company,PetroChina,Xi’an,Shaanxi 710018,China
  • Received:2025-04-02 Revised:2025-07-03 Online:2025-10-30 Published:2025-10-29
  • Contact: Jianming FAN E-mail:nxb_cq@petrochina.com.cn;fanjm_cq@petrochina.com.cn

Abstract:

Shale oil production through quasi-natural depletion faces a key challenge of low crude oil recovery due to a rapid decline in reservoir pressure and a marked decrease in oil production. Over more than a decade of persistent efforts, the Changqing oilfield has carried out systematic theoretical research, laboratory simulations, pilot tests, and large-scale field applications. These initiatives have led to the development of differential enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques tailored to newly developed and mature blocks. Specifically, for newly developing blocks, an innovative well pattern-fracture network collaborative optimization technology is proposed, featuring “small well spacing, small cluster spacing, and large-scale cross fracturing design.” Techniques developed for the stimulation of mature blocks include a multi-media energy replenishment technique integrating “fine-scale division of injection intervals, high gas injection rates, and structured displacement” and a regional energy replenishment-based refracturing technique. The field application results of these techniques indicate that in newly developing blocks, the collaborative optimization technology can enhance shale oil recovery by more than 4% under the well pattern during primary recovery. For mature blocks, the integrated application of the EOR techniques can enhance shale oil recovery by 3% to 5%. The collaborative optimization of techniques for both newly developing and mature blocks is projected to increase the calibrated recovery of shale oil reservoirs in the Qingcheng oilfield, Ordos Basin, to over 15% from the present 7.5%. The results of this study provide an important theoretical basis and technical reference for EOR of shale oil reservoirs in the Ordos Basin and other similar reservoirs worldwide.

Key words: green field, brown field, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique, shale oil, Qingcheng oilfield, Ordos Basin

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