DOE Tabs UA Researchers in Attempt to Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – With this nation already importing more than half of its oil, and experts predicting another major oil crisis within the next five years, reducing dependence on foreign oil is a hot topic from the presidential campaign trail to the local coffee shop.

For researchers in The University of Alabama’s Center for Sedimentary Basin Studies, the concept is more than just idle chatter. For example, beginning next month the UA experts will begin a $1.3 million project, sponsored primarily by the U.S. Department of Energy, designed to improve the recovery of oil from — and extend the productive lives of — the Appleton and Vocation oil fields in Escambia and Monroe counties, respectively.

The Center’s researchers are working with the independent oil field operators, Longleaf Energy Group, Strago Petroleum Co. and Paramount Petroleum Co., along with researchers at Texas A&M University and McGill University.

“The reason our work is targeted for independents is that the major oil companies are no longer focused in the lower 48 states – it’s not cost effective for them,” said Dr. Ernest Mancini, professor of geology and Center director. “Unfortunately, the small independents do not have research centers, and they do not have the integrated technological expertise often needed to design recovery strategies.”

Through techniques such as 3-D seismic imaging and computer modeling, the Center’s researchers predict more efficient ways to recover oil from under the ground.

Oil reservoirs typically involve multiple layers of rock. Since each rock type has its own characteristics, it’s vital to the extraction process to understand which rock types are present and how they are distributed. By using seismic waves, researchers can

determine where rock types change. Sound waves are projected into the reservoir area and reflect back to the surface. Researchers see reflections indicating where the rock types change. This helps them better understand the distribution of oil-bearing rock and

allows them to develop an effective exploration and production strategy.

UA’s researchers believe results from the project will improve recovery and extend the lives not only of these fields but also those of similar reservoirs.

With a $50 million annual investment during the next 20 years, National Petroleum Technology Office (NPTO) projects like this one are projected to result in nine billion barrels of additional oil and 20 trillion cubic feet of additional natural gas produced from fields in the United States. This potential petroleum increase translates into an estimated $93 billion in financial benefits to the nation, according to NPTO.