The Petroleum Institute University and Research Center (PI) have announced the signing of a technical research services agreement with Solvay Group to establish an automated chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) formulation laboratory in Abu Dhabi
The laboratory will replicate proprietary robotic technologies and workflows that have been developed by Solvay in its laboratory of the future (LOF). These technologies and workflows have been successfully implemented in some of the world’s most challenging oilfields.
PI said that it will utilise Solvay’s extensive market know-how and expertise to customise and optimise chemical systems for Abu Dhabi oilfields.
Solvay Group’s high-end technology equipment will be installed in PI’s brand new R&D facility, where PI staff will be trained on Solvay’s LOF. Both companies intend to establish a long-term collaborative partnership with the aim of bringing the latest EOR technologies to the fields of Abu Dhabi through joint research and field applications.
Thomas J. Hochstettler, president of PI, said “Adding the automated chemical EOR formulation laboratory to the Petroleum Institute Research Center reinforces our previous efforts in EOR research particularly in the domains of chemical EOR, hybrid EOR and conformance processes. These technologies and processes will contribute to realising ADNOC’s challenging oil recovery target, which is 70 per cent.”
David Sorin, vice-president EOR of Solvay, added that Solvay has made considerable investments in the past decade to develop innovative technologies in the field of EOR. “This agreement demonstrates our commitment to developing long-term relationships with our key partners, including through the transfer of sensitive technology. We believe this partnership will help accelerate the deployment of EOR technology in Abu Dhabi’s challenging oilfields, and will support ADNOC in materialising its ambitious recovery target.”
