Abu Dhabi is piloting several enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques on its offshore Lower Zakum field, with the aim to develop technology for improving the levels of crude recovered from its ageing fields.

The emirate’s oil companies have used gas injection in the past to improve recovery, but are now exploring other techniques such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and chemical injection.

“The improvement will come from EOR, which has a number of techniques,” says a senior source from Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (Adma-Opco), the state-run offshore producer that operates the Lower Zakum field.

“We are testing four or five techniques on Zakum, including artificial lift and smart water injection,” he says. “These are techniques that could help us.”

Last year, Adma-Opco chief executive officer (CEO) Ali al-Jarwan said Abu Dhabi was aiming to improve its oil recovery factor to 70 per cent.

CO2 injection and other emerging EOR techniques can be used to replace the injection of natural gas to maintain reservoir pressure at oil fields. The gas can then be rerouted to meet rising demand from Abu Dhabi’s power and industrial sectors.

Adma-Opco is a joint venture led by state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), with the UK’s BP, France’s Total and Japanese Oil Development Company (Jodco) holding minority stakes.