TITLE:
Optimizing the Utilization of Carbon Dioxide for Enhanced Oil Recovery in Matured Reservoirs Using the Petroleum Expert Suite
AUTHORS:
Philip Junior Yinbil, Justine Justice Apegase Atarah, Emmanuel Blay Miezah
KEYWORDS:
Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), Mature Reservoirs, CO2 Injection Optimization, Reservoir Simulation, Oil Recovery Factor, Pressure Maintenance, Sweep Efficiency, Decarbonization, Environmental Sustainability
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Yangtze Oil and Gas,
Vol.11 No.1,
January
22,
2026
ABSTRACT: The growing global demand for energy, coupled with the decline in production from mature oil reservoirs, has necessitated the adoption of advanced recovery strategies that align with both economic and environmental objectives. This study focuses on optimizing the utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) in mature reservoirs using the Petroleum Expert Suite (MBAL and PROSPER). A reservoir model was constructed and simulated to evaluate the performance of various CO2 injection scenarios, with a focus on determining the optimal injection rate and analyzing its impact on oil recovery, pressure maintenance, and sweep efficiency. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the impact of varying injection parameters on cumulative oil production and reservoir performance. The results demonstrate that optimized CO2 injection not only improves recovery factors but also enhances reservoir pressure support and delays gas breakthrough, indicating a more efficient utilization of injected gas. Beyond technical optimization, the study underscores the environmental significance of CO2-EOR in reducing the carbon footprint and methane emissions associated with oil production. Ultimately, this research illustrates that CO2-EOR, when optimized through robust simulation tools, represents a viable pathway for extending the productive life of mature reservoirs while supporting global decarbonization goals. The simulation indicates that a significant fraction of injected CO2 remains sequestered within the reservoir. Under the optimal injection scenario (70 MMscf/day), approximately 35% of CO2 remains trapped at the end of the simulation period, resulting in a net storage volume of 26827.5 MMscf. This demonstrates that CO2-EOR simultaneously increases hydrocarbon recovery while contributing to permanent geological sequestration.