Secondary/Enhanced Recovery
Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) injection wells are used to increase production and prolong the life of oil producing fields. Secondary Recovery is an EOR process, commonly referred to as waterflooding. In this process, salt water co-produced with oil and gas is reinjected into the oil producing formation to drive oil into pumping wells, resulting in the recovery of additional oil. Tertiary Recovery is an EOR process that is used after secondary recovery methods become inefficient or uneconomical. Tertiary recovery methods include the injection of gases, enhanced waters and steam in order to maintain and extend oil production.
Statewide Rule 46 governs fluid injection into reservoirs productive of oil, gas, or geothermal resources. Applications for a permit is on Railroad Commission Forms H-1 and H-1A. The rule also addresses matters regarding: the application process; notice and opportunity for hearing; protested applications; special equipment requirements (e.g., tubing and packer) and modification, suspension, or termination of permits for one or more of several causes. Also included in Statewide Rule 46 are requirements regarding records maintenance monitoring and reporting testing plugging, and penalties for violations of the rule. Permit revocation may result as a consequence of noncompliance.
