SNF Flopam India, a subsidiary of the SNF France Group, bagged a major ₹547 crore contract from ONGC’s Mehsana Asset for the “Hiring of Polymer Injection Facilities – Phase 2” at the Bechraji Field (GGS-I) in Gujarat. The project marks a significant milestone for Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (CEOR) technology in India and supports ONGC’s broader strategy to increase crude oil production from mature fields while reducing dependence on imports. SNF has been executing extended pilot projects at the field for the past four years, delivering strong recovery factors. Encouraged by these results, ONGC has now decided to move toward full-field implementation of polymer flooding technology.
Large-Scale Polymer Flooding Facility
SNF will design, supply, install, commission, and operate one of India’s largest polymer flooding facilities at the Bechraji oil field. The project will be executed over a ten-year period, highlighting ONGC’s long-term commitment to improving recovery rates from mature reservoirs using advanced EOR technologies. Polymer flooding is widely used globally to improve oil displacement efficiency, particularly in fields containing viscous or difficult-to-recover crude oil.
Scope of Work for Phase-2 Development
The Phase-2 development programme includes several key components designed to strengthen oil recovery operations at the field. Key elements of the project include, polymer injection into 38 wells arranged in an inverted five-spot pattern to optimise reservoir sweep efficiency, supply and operation of polymer injection skids, hydration units, pumping systems, utilities, and pipeline networks, full operation and maintenance (O&M) services covering polymer and chemical supply, manpower, spare parts, monitoring systems, and utilities and development of complete surface facilities at a dedicated site near Bechraji GGS-I. Together, these systems will form a fully integrated CEOR infrastructure, designed to significantly enhance recovery from the field.
Strengthening India’s Oil Recovery Capabilities
Polymer flooding plays a crucial role in extracting additional crude from ageing oil reservoirs, where conventional production methods have already reached their limits. The Bechraji polymer injection project is therefore expected to improve recovery efficiency and extend the productive life of the field, contributing to India’s domestic oil production.
SNF Leadership Highlights Strategic Importance
Pascal Remy, Chairman and CEO of SNF Group, described, “This project is a game-changing milestone for SNF in India. Our polymer technologies have improved oil recovery in many parts of the world, and we are proud to bring this capability to ONGC at such a large scale. The Bechraji development reinforces our commitment to India’s energy sector and strengthens our long-standing partnership with ONGC”.
Major Milestone for SNF India
Shital Khot, Chairman and Managing Director of SNF Flopam India emphasised, “Securing this project is a matter of immense pride for our India team. This is one of the largest polymer flooding projects in the country and reflects SNF’s technical strength, operational excellence, and the trust built with ONGC. We see this as a transformational step for SNF India and a major contribution toward enhancing India’s domestic oil production, fully aligned with the nation’s Make in India vision and Aatmnirbhar Bharat”.
Boost for Mature Oil Fields in Gujarat
The Bechraji polymer injection project aligns with ONGC’s broader objective of maximising crude oil recovery from mature fields in Gujarat. By leveraging SNF’s global expertise in acrylamide-based polymers and advanced CEOR solutions, the project is expected to enhance recovery efficiency, improve reservoir performance, and support long-term oil production from the field. As per the press release, as India continues to seek ways to reduce its crude oil import dependency, large-scale enhanced oil recovery initiatives like this are expected to play an increasingly important role in strengthening the country’s energy security.
