The document discusses three phases of oil recovery: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary recovery involves allowing natural reservoir pressure to push out oil. Secondary recovery maintains reservoir pressure by injecting water or gas. Tertiary recovery injects fluids, gases, or other agents to further improve oil flow. The document also discusses stripper wells, which produce oil or gas at very low daily rates, and notes that stripper wells make a significant contribution to US energy supply and represent 19% of domestic oil production, with over 400,000 stripper wells producing nearly 1 million barrels per day.

1. J. Robert (Bob) Paterek, Ph.D.
Energy and Environmental Biotechnologist

2. • 65% is the maximum recovered in some wells
• 10% is the minimum is removed in others

3. Oil Recovery’s three phases:
1. Primary - allowing natural reservoir pressure push
out the oil
2. Secondary - maintain reservoir pressure by injecting
water or produced gas
3. Tertiary - fluids, gasses, surfactants, or polymers
injected to maintain the reservoir pressure improve
oil flow. Tertiary phase that is usually
defined as enhanced oil recovery

4. Oil Recovery’s three phases:
1. Primary - allowing natural reservoir pressure push
out the oil
2. Secondary - maintain reservoir pressure by injecting
water or produced gas
3. Tertiary - fluids, gasses, or other agents injected to
maintain the reservoir pressure. Phase
that is usually defined as enhanced oil
recovery

5. Stripper Wells – those that produce natural gas or oil at very
low rates
• Less than 10 barrels per day of oil
• Less than 60 thousand cubic feet of gas per day
They make a significant contribution to USA’s energy supply
• Lifeblood of thousands of small & independent
companies
• 8o of approximately 500,000 producing oil wells are
classified as “stripper”
• More that 400,000 stripper wells produce nearly 1
million barrels per day
Represents almost 19% of domestic oil production

6.  Stripper Well Consortium - Director Joel Morrison at (814)
865-4802 or
 National Stripper Well Association - 405-228-4112 or
mshaw@nswa.us
 National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) of the
Department of Energy - http://www.netl.doe.gov/
A number of organizations and trade groups exist
for the benefits of US stripper wells owners and
operators.
Check out these organizations and their missions
statements. Support them through membership or contact
your Congressman and Senators and offer your support.
swc@ems.psu.edu