An Overview of Tracer Applications in the Upstream Petroleum Industry: A Focus on Enhanced Oil Recovery

Tracers, recognized as vital technologies, enable precise monitoring of production processes, particularly in the context of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects. This study emphasizes tracers’ necessity as auxiliary tools for understanding reservoir characteristics, contributing to improved well productivity, reduced water production rates, and enhanced control of hydrocarbon flow. More extensive studies related to the use of tracers in water and gas injection have been done in this article. In a detailed study of a reservoir for the implementation of EOR projects, the use of tracers as essential auxiliary tools is necessary to gain an understanding of reservoir characteristics. Chemical injection techniques, reservoir optimization, and the role of tracers in EOR are discussed. The article underscores the significance of tracer installation in both new and existing systems, shedding light on its impact on operation and reservoir performance evaluation. However, challenges and limitations associated with tracer applications in the oil industry are acknowledged.