NEWS
VPI SP Chemical System: A Cutting-Edge Scientific and Technological Achievement by Petrovietnam
For the first time in Vietnam, a comprehensive, scientific, and globally aligned technological solution has been implemented to enhance oil recovery efficiency. The solution integrates Vietnam’s expertise in oil and gas exploration with advanced simulation technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning algorithms to create the VPI SP Chemical System—a highly intellectual and valuable product.
In recent years, domestic oil and gas production has been declining due to objective factors such as major oil fields reaching the end of their production lifecycle, and newly discovered fields being small, marginal, and technically challenging to exploit. As a result, researching and applying enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies has become an urgent priority.
The VPI SP Chemical System for enhanced oil recovery is the result of a cluster of national-level scientific research projects titled “Research, selection of solutions, development, and application of enhanced oil recovery technologies for clastic sedimentary reservoirs in oil fields of the Cửu Long Basin, Vietnam’s continental shelf.” These projects are funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology and led by the Vietnam Petroleum Institute (VPI), a member of Petrovietnam, with the participation of 50 leading domestic and international oil and gas experts.
The research focused on selecting feasible solutions and developing suitable EOR technologies for each specific oil reservoir in the clastic sedimentary layers of the Cửu Long Basin. Lab-scale chemical systems were developed for experimental testing, along with reservoir simulation models to assess the effectiveness of these solutions. A pilot production system was also designed and equipped to manufacture 100 tons of the VPI SP chemical agent for field testing.
The VPI SP chemical agent has been successfully tested in industrial applications and has delivered promising results. It forms the basis for developing a comprehensive plan to apply EOR technologies for clastic sedimentary reservoirs throughout the Cửu Long Basin.
All research phases have been completed on schedule, meeting technical and quality requirements. Notable innovations include the application of the latest Industry 4.0 technologies in reservoir and mechanism simulations, including integrated modeling, compositional simulation, and streamline simulation.
Dr. Nguyễn Minh Quý emphasized that VPI utilized modern simulation technologies, AI, and machine learning to enhance production forecasting and evaluate EOR effectiveness during the VPI SP development. Furthermore, by integrating production technologies and equipment, the VPI SP system is highly synchronized, with each technological step accompanied by specific equipment. Importantly, the VPI SP product is safe, non-toxic to humans and the environment, and suitable for high-temperature, high-pressure offshore fields.
This marks the first time Vietnam has systematically and scientifically implemented a globally recognized advanced EOR technology development process—from research and solution selection to practical application—delivering technical and economic efficiency and contributing to increased productivity in the Cửu Long Basin.
Results from the VPI SP project demonstrate significant potential for scaling up EOR technology applications using VPI SP chemicals. These applications include both the Bạch Hổ field and other oil and gas fields in the Cửu Long Basin. Widespread adoption of this solution could optimize resource exploitation and significantly improve the economic performance of oil and gas projects in Vietnam.
The research has paved the way for industrial-scale production of VPI SP chemicals and broader implementation across Vietnamese oil fields. This will help Petrovietnam increase crude oil output and make vital contributions to the nation’s socio-economic development. Additionally, the outcomes provide a solid foundation for attracting both domestic and international investment to establish production lines for VPI SP chemicals in Vietnam—creating jobs and spurring economic growth.
VPI has also developed a detailed roadmap for expanding the VPI SP product line and is currently seeking investment from Petrovietnam to further develop and commercialize this system. The goal is to tailor the VPI SP chemicals for reservoirs with high temperature and pressure, complex geology, and heterogeneous characteristics.
The VPI SP Chemical System—designed for clastic sedimentary reservoirs in the Cửu Long Basin—won First Prize at the 2022 Vietnam Science and Technology Innovation Awards (VIFOTEC) and was honored in the 2023 Vietnam Innovation Golden Book.
This scientific achievement has been formally recognized and designated as a flagship project in celebration of the 4th Party Congress of Petrovietnam (2025–2030 term) at VPI headquarters (167 Trung Kính Street, Yên Hòa Ward, Hanoi).
Source: Petrovietnam