Question:

Select the INCORRECT statement related to Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques from the following options.

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Polymer flooding is used to improve the efficiency of water flooding by increasing water viscosity, not by reducing the viscosity of crude oil.
Updated On: Jan 9, 2026
  • Alkaline flooding recovers crude oil by reduction of interfacial tension (IFT) and reversal of wettability of rocks.
  • In-situ combustion recovers crude oil by the application of heat, thus lowering the viscosity of the crude oil.
  • Nitrogen flue gas flooding recovers crude oil by vaporizing the lighter components of the crude oil.
  • Polymer flooding recovers crude oil by reducing the viscosity and increasing the mobility of water.
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

In Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), various techniques are used to increase the extraction of crude oil by improving the efficiency of displacement or altering the characteristics of the oil reservoir. Let's analyze the statements one by one: 1. Alkaline flooding (A): This technique involves the injection of alkaline agents (such as caustic soda) into the reservoir. It works by reducing the interfacial tension (IFT) between the oil and water, which helps to mobilize the oil. It also reverses the wettability of rocks, allowing water to more effectively displace oil from the rock surface. This statement is correct. 2. In-situ combustion (B): In-situ combustion involves igniting a portion of the oil in place to generate heat. This heat lowers the viscosity of the remaining oil, making it easier to flow to the production well. This statement is correct. 3. Nitrogen flue gas flooding (C): Nitrogen gas flooding involves injecting nitrogen into the reservoir. The nitrogen displaces the crude oil, and in some cases, the flue gas may help in vaporizing the lighter components of the crude oil, enhancing recovery. This statement is correct. 4. Polymer flooding (D): Polymer flooding involves injecting polymer solutions into the reservoir to increase the viscosity of the water and improve the sweep efficiency of the displacement process. The primary purpose of polymer flooding is not to reduce the viscosity of the oil but to increase the mobility of water. This statement is incorrect because it incorrectly describes the mechanism of polymer flooding. Thus, the incorrect statement is (D).
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