Urcuquí, October 16, 2018

On Tuesday, October 16, Eduardo Ludeña, rector of Yachay Tech University, presented Patricio Larrea, Vice-minister of the Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Resources (MRNNR), with a proposal to explore into enhanced oil recovery to reduce costs and increase the State income. This proposal is part of the University’s strategy to get involved and collaborate with the productive sector of the country, among them, the oil industry, universities and research entities in the field of hydrocarbons.

Oil is the main export product in Ecuador. However, the necessary technology for extraction and refining comes from abroad and at costs that limit these businesses’ profits. Additionally, it is estimated that 50% of the original oil on site (POES) from the reservoirs of the eastern basin of Ecuador cannot be produced by conventional methods and requires enhanced oil recovery technologies (IOR / EOR). Yachay Tech University, through its team of researchers and international contacts, has the necessary knowledge to develop technology that can impact the development of the hydrocarbon sector.

The proposal, which comes from Yachay Tech’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021, involves the creation of the National Energy and Petroleum Center (CNEP). This center will carry out Research, Development, and Innovation (R & D + i) for the energy and hydrocarbon industry of Ecuador. The CNEP is conceived as a network of public and private organizations of higher education, research, science, and technology, as well as the oil industry. The network will optimize the use of resources and access to joint laboratories.

In addition, Yachay Tech University will organize an event framed in the proposal of Petroleum, Nanotechnology, and Catalysis. The Symposium and Workshop on enhanced oil recovery technologies will be held on November 19 and 20 at the facilities of Yachay Public Company (Yachay E. P.). The meeting will be attended by international guests with vast experience in the field.

The experts are:

• Dr. Pedro Pereira (University of Calgary): specialist in the use of steam and hydrogen in the development of catalytic processes for the improvement of heavy crude and waste.
• Dr. Vladimir Alvarado: Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and applied sciences at the University of Wyoming, and head of the Exxon Mobil department of enhanced recovery.
• Jean Louis Salager: Director of the Formulation, Interfaces, Rheology, and Processes Laboratory (Firp) of the Universidad de los Andes, in Venezuela.
• Vladimiro Mujica: Professor at the Arizona State University, a researcher in theoretical chemistry, nanoscience, and nanophotonics.
• Isabel Vega: specialist in the development of new chemical products for the area of ​​water control. Leader of the chemical EOR program at YPF.