Carbon dioxide (CO₂) injection is one of the primary methods of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) used to extract oil from mature reservoirs.
Typically, reservoirs that have been producing for a long time suffer from declining natural pressure and increasing water accumulation, which significantly reduces oil output. CO₂ injection addresses these issues by increasing pressure and displacing residual oil, making it possible to recover a greater volume from the existing reservoir. This technique not only extends the productive life of the reservoir but also improves the overall return on investment for oil producers.
How CO₂ Injection Works
There are several ways CO₂ injection can enhance oil recovery:
- Miscible Flooding: CO₂ is injected into the reservoir and mixes with the oil to form a more mobile fluid. This mixture flows more easily toward the production well, improving overall extraction rates.
- Gravity Override: In this method, CO₂ is injected in a way that leverages gravity to displace oil downward and drive it toward the production well.
The ultimate goal of CO₂ injection is to maximize oil recovery by making trapped oil more extractable. CO₂ is widely used because it is relatively inexpensive, easy to source, and highly effective due to its ability to mix with oil at reservoir conditions.
Benefits of Installing a Hydroplex Valve
Installing a Hydroplex HCY valve in your CO₂ injection system delivers numerous advantages:
- No external mounting hardware needed—streamlined, direct mount actuation
- Accurate control through 90° rotary twin disc design
- Long-lasting performance due to separation of control and sealing surfaces
- Minimized erosion and wear with solid tungsten carbide trim
- Outstanding repeatability and control precision in demanding conditions
- Low maintenance requirements with stainless steel internals
- Optional multistage pressure drop design protects equipment from damage
These benefits translate into lower operational costs, more stable production, and reduced downtime.
Ready to Upgrade?
Improve your CO₂ injection system performance with a Hydroplex HCY throttling valve. Contact our team today for technical specs, installation support, or to request a quote.