{"id":59216,"date":"2025-11-04T02:40:25","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T23:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geoconversation.org\/shorts\/what-are-the-different-ways-to-extract-oil\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T02:40:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T23:40:25","slug":"what-are-the-different-ways-to-extract-oil","status":"publish","type":"shorts","link":"https:\/\/geoconversation.org\/en\/shorts\/what-are-the-different-ways-to-extract-oil\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the different ways to extract oil?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you seen oil pumps – \u201chammers\u201d that rhythmically move the pipe up and down? This is how oil is brought to the surface when the pressure in the reservoir can no longer cope on its own.What other methods of oil production exist and how do engineers choose the right one? Let’s figure it out.<\/p>\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/rutube.ru\/video\/f604197fd8e3941e7d5934651a663467\/\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n

How oil is extracted<\/h2>\n\n\n

Oil does not collect underground in \u201clakes\u201d; it permeates porous rocks, like water soaks into a sponge. To extract it, engineers drill a well and create conditions under which oil can rise to the top. Sometimes reservoir pressure pushes oil out on its own, but more often it is \u201chelped\u201d – with pumps, gas or water. Unlike coal, which is mined by opencast excavators directly from rocks, oil is literally forced persuade to leave the bowels<\/strong>. Each barrel is the result of precise engineering adjustment for a specific field.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Rice.<\/a>
\u00a0Wells are different. The appropriate type is selected based on the geological conditions of the deposit. Source: Habr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

Main methods of oil production<\/h2>\n\n\n

Engineers choose technology to extract maximum resources at minimum cost. Which oil extraction methods to use depend on how high the reservoir pressure is, what the viscosity of the fluid is, and what stage of life the field is at.<\/p>\n\n\n

Flowing method of production – when oil flows on its own<\/h3>\n\n\n

In young fields, reservoir pressure is so high that the oil itself rises<\/a> along the wellbore. This is the fountain method – the simplest and cheapest. It doesn’t require pumps: oil pushed out<\/a> gas pressure dissolved in the formation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

\u201cAt first, oil really flows like a fountain – the reservoir pressure is very high. But you can get a little this way. Then the pressure drops, and the oil has to be raised in other ways,\u201d explains<\/a> chemist, professor of the department of macromolecular compounds and petrochemistry of TSU Lyubov Altunina.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n

Today, flowing mining is a rarity: according to industry data, this method manages to extract<\/a> no more than 10% of oil reserves. When the fountain \u201csits,\u201d engineers switch to mechanized or gas-lift methods.<\/p>\n\n\n

Pumping method of oil production – the work of a \u201crocking chair\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n

When reservoir pressure drops, oil lift<\/a> pumps. The most recognizable ones are rod installations, those same \u201chammers\u201d. They set the rods in motion and lift liquid from the depths.<\/p>\n\n\n

Another type is electric centrifugal pumps (ESP). They are installed directly in the well and work at great depths. There are also screw pumps – for viscous oil and difficult conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n

Smart pumps for oil production<\/a> \u2014 about installations with pressure, temperature and vibration sensors that can be controlled remotely.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Rice.<\/a>
As the rods move down, the ball valve opens and fluid flows into the pump. Then the rods begin to rise, the valve closes, and the liquid rises. The pressure in the pipe decreases, the lower valve opens, and a new portion of oil enters the pump. Source: Schlumberger<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

Gas lift method – lifting using gas<\/h3>\n\n\n

Instead of pumps, compressed gas works and is supplied into the well. It reduces the density of the mixture and helps the oil rise to the top. Gas lift can be continuous – when the supply coming<\/a> constantly, or periodically – with pauses to save energy.<\/p>\n\n\n

This method of oil production is especially convenient on the shelf and in confined spaces where installation of equipment is difficult. In Russia, gas lift is used in the fields of Western Siberia and the Volga region. There it allows you to maintain production with falling reservoir pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n

Secondary methods – when connecting water<\/h3>\n\n\n

\u201cIf oil needs to be extracted quickly, then it is necessary to restore reservoir pressure. One method that facilitates this is called waterflooding. Water is pumped into the injection well, which enters the oil reservoir, restores pressure in the pores and displaces the fossil outwards,\u201d – tells<\/a> Lyubov Altunina.<\/p>\n\n\n

The method allows increase<\/a> recovery rate up to 40%. Engineers make sure that the water is distributed evenly: if a breakthrough occurs along the cracks, the oil will remain to the side. For this purpose, geological and technological models and regulation of filtration in individual zones of the formation are used.<\/p>\n\n\n

Tertiary methods (EOR) – enhanced return technologies<\/h3>\n\n\n

To extract what remains after waterflooding, EOR technologies (Enhanced Oil Recovery) are used – thermal, chemical and gas methods.<\/p>\n\n\n