secondary recovery

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

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Secondary recovery is a process used in petroleum production to extract more oil from a reservoir after primary recovery methods are no longer effective. This is achieved by injecting substances like gas or water into the reservoir to maintain or increase pressure.12

A common method is waterflooding, where treated water is pumped into the oil field to push oil towards production wells. Gas injection, often into the top of the reservoir, can also be used to re-energize the formation. These secondary methods can significantly increase the amount of oil recovered compared to primary recovery alone.13

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petroleum production
Secondary recovery: injection of gas or water
When a large part of the crude oil in a reservoir cannot be recovered by primary means, a method for supplying extra energy must be found. Most reservoirs have some gas in a miscible state, similar to that…
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When a large part of the crude oil in a reservoir cannot be recovered by primary means, a method for supplying extra energy must be found. Most reservoirs have some gas in a miscible state, similar to that…
Read More