Ukrnafta to introduce new polymer flooding technology at all fields

MOSCOW. May 24 (Interfax) - Ukrnafta has begun introducing new polymer flooding technology to enhance oil recovery at its fields, first testing it at a field in Ivano-Frankovsk region.

"Ukrnafta specialists have for the first time in the company's history used a modern technology in order to optimize the system to maintain formation pressure. The result was an almost 17% increase in the oil flow rate at the trial site at one of the company's western fields,"

Ukrainian media reported, citing the company's statement.

Specifically, the company said it used flow deviation technology with cross-linked polymer systems, meaning it injected a "polymer compound into the injection well in order to block flushed zones from injection to production wells and draw in previously unswept areas of the deposit."

The company pumped 130 cubic meters of polymer compound into the injection well. Its specialists monitored the well for two months and noted a decrease in the water cut and increase in flow rate.

"There are plans to introduce this technology at the fields of all Ukrnafta divisions in order to increase oil production. Sites have already been selected and reagents have been purchased," the company said.

Ukrnafta increased production of oil with condensate by 3% to 1.41 million tonnes in 2023 and gas production 5.8% to 1.097 billion cubic meters. The company's strategic goal is to double oil and natural gas production by 2027, to 3 million tonnes and 2 billion cubic meters, respectively.

Ukrnafta's largest shareholder is state oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukraine with 50% plus one share.