As a result of a Society of Petroleum Engineers/National Energy Research Demonstration and Development Council (NERDDC) meeting in Adelaide in April 1986 between Australian oil industry representatives. researchers and government, it was decided to propose a NERDDC project on the potential from Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) applications in Australia. The aim was to highlight to government, industry and the public the scope for EOR, and to provide assistance in planning EOR projects and policies. The specific project objectives were to identify the most likely field prospects for EOR applications and to assess the additional oil which may be recovered under various recovery techniques at selected oil prices. Oilfield data from 177 significant reservoirs were compiled, checked for consistency, and subjected to technical screening, reservoir simulation and preliminary economic evaluation. For Australias reservoirs discovered before June 1988, the "target" for EOR (i.e. oil-in place minus reserves) is estimated as 3914 million barrels. Of this, 2346 million barrels is offshore where miscible or immiscible processes appear to be most promising. 1568 million barrels is onshore, where miscible/immiscible gas flooding is applicable and where, in the event of technical or economic improvements, waterflooding with polymers may be applicable. A preliminary and optimistic estimate of economically recoverable oil at current prices is 709 million barrels. Results for individual fields have been given to the operating companies concerned. A major issue of concern is premature abandonment of existing wells and facilities, which can preclude future EOR opportunities
