Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Across the Arab World

Advancing the Desert's Wealth: Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Across the Arab World

In 2026, the Arab world—led by the powerhouse economies of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council)—is undergoing a profound technological shift. As the region’s massive "super-giant" fields mature, the focus has moved from simple extraction to the sophisticated science of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). Across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, EOR is now a strategic imperative to sustain production plateaus and maximize the value of domestic hydrocarbons.

I. The Regional Driver: From Primary to Tertiary Recovery

For decades, the Arab world relied on natural reservoir pressure and simple water flooding (secondary recovery). However, to reach the ambitious goal of extracting up to 70% of Oil in Place (OOIP), regional National Oil Companies (NOCs) are deploying tertiary methods. In 2026, the primary motivations are:

• Sustaining Production: Offsetting the natural decline of legacy fields like Ghawar (Saudi Arabia) and Burgan (Kuwait).

• Energy Security: Ensuring long-term supply stability for global markets.

• Environmental Integration: Using EOR as a vehicle for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).

II. Leading EOR Technologies in the Arabic Region

The unique geology of the Middle East—dominated by complex, high-salinity carbonate reservoirs—has led to the development of localized EOR "specialties."

1. $CO_2$-EOR and CCUS

This is the fastest-growing EOR segment in the region. By capturing carbon from industrial sources and injecting it into oil fields, countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are turning a greenhouse gas into a tool for production.

• The UAE (ADNOC): The Al Reyadah project remains a pioneer, capturing $CO_2$ from steel plants for injection into the Rumaitha and Bab fields.

• Saudi Arabia (Aramco): The Uthmaniyah project is a global benchmark, sequestering millions of tons of $CO_2$ while boosting recovery in the world's largest oil field.

2. Solar EOR (Thermal)

In regions with heavy oil, such as Oman, the abundance of sunlight is being harnessed to produce steam for injection.

• Oman (PDO): The Miraah project is one of the world's largest solar plants, using concentrated solar power to generate steam, replacing the need to burn valuable natural gas for EOR.

3. Chemical EOR (SmartWater and Polymers)

Traditional chemical EOR has been adapted for the extreme heat and salinity of the Gulf.

• SmartWater Flooding: A proprietary Saudi Aramco technique that adjusts the ion concentration of seawater to "detach" oil from carbonate rock surfaces more effectively.

III. Regional Project Highlights (2026)

IV. The Digital Oilfield: AI and EOR

In 2026, the "Arabic EOR" model is inseparable from Artificial Intelligence. Regional operators use AI-driven reservoir simulations to predict "sweep efficiency." By creating digital twins of fields, engineers can visualize how a $CO_2$ plume moves through the rock in real-time, allowing them to adjust injection rates autonomously to prevent "water breakthrough."

V. Summary: A Sustainable Future for Oil

For the Arab world, EOR is no longer just about "more oil"; it is about "better oil." By integrating carbon capture and renewable energy (solar) into the extraction process, Arabic nations are positioning themselves as the world’s most efficient and lowest-carbon intensity producers.

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