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Overview

This course introduces the student to the history and fundamental principles of waterflood design. Concepts of the required rock and fluid properties are reviewed, equations and methodology for preliminary subsurface waterflood analyses are presented. Factors and techniques for more detailed analyses are discussed in the following sections of the material. The final section reviews the elements of the surface facilities and potential problems related to the injected water.

The course material begins with a definition of waterflooding followed by the history of waterflooding beginning with the first patent issued in 1884. The analytical section introduces the rock properties of porosity, permeability and relative permeability and the fluid property of viscosity. Darcy's equation, the fractional flow equation, the frontal advance equation, and the Time to Water Break Through equation for horizontal flow are presented to provide a foundation for the prediction technique in the following section.

The use of the Buckley-Leverett/Welge graphical solution is described for preliminary analyses of waterfloods. More advanced considerations such as reservoir heterogeneity, flood patterns, and reservoir simulation are discussed in the concluding section of subsurface considerations. The surface facility review presents the three primary components of waterflooding surface facilities; the gathering system, the treating plant and tankage, and the injection system. Sources of potential problems with the injected water are noted.

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of fifteen (15) questions at the end of the course to obtain PDH credits.

Specific Knowledge or Skill Attained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

  · Knowledge of what waterflooding is and the history of the technique
  · Knowledge of the rock and fluid properties and equations used in waterflood analyses
  · The skill of basic waterflood analysis techniques
  · Knowledge of advanced waterflood considerations and techniques
  · Knowledge of surface facility elements and potential problems

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.

Please Note: Continuing Education credits for this course are awarded as PDH (Professional Development Hour Credits).