Work out recovery factor instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Recovery factor is recoverable volume divided by oil in place, and it is governed largely by drive mechanism: solution gas drive typically recovers 15-25%, gas cap expansion 25-40%, water drive 35-55% and gravity drainage up to 60%. Waterflood or gas injection adds a further 5-15 percentage points.
Recovery factor
RF % = recoverable volume x 100 / OOIP
With secondary recovery
RF total = primary RF + secondary uplift in percentage points
An active aquifer maintains reservoir pressure and physically displaces oil towards the wells, so oil is swept rather than left behind by pressure depletion.
Residual oil saturation trapped by capillary forces in swept zones, plus unswept zones from heterogeneity and viscous fingering. Enhanced oil recovery targets the residual saturation directly.