Paper: Reservoir Productivity Can Be Improved By the Judicious Application Of Sweep Efficiency Principles

This paper is concerned with the application of sweep out behavior in estimating oil recovery from hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs. It reviews the theory of sweep efficiency and related concepts. Parameters studied include the influence of fluid motilities on sweep out performance, the consequential entrapment of oil due to well pattern geometry, permeability-porosity inhomogeneity effects, and results of stratification of the producing zone on sweep out performance. Remedies for some of these problems are suggested. Numerous field examples are cited.