Which organization conducted early studies into secondary oil recovery around 1917?

Which organization conducted early studies into secondary oil recovery around 1917?

• A. US Bureau of Mines
• B. British Petroleum Institute
• C. U.S. Geological Survey
• D. Energy Information Administration

Answer: (A)

Secondary oil recovery involves techniques that push additional oil out of a reservoir after the natural drive has declined, using methods like fluid injection to maintain pressure and improve output. Around 1917, these early investigations were carried out by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, a federal research agency focused on energy resources and extraction methods. Their work helped establish the feasibility of secondary recovery approaches and laid groundwork for later developments such as waterflooding. Other options don’t align with the same historical role. The U.S. Geological Survey primarily conducts mapping and resource assessments rather than experimental recovery methods. The British Petroleum Institute is linked to industry research outside the U.S. context, and the Energy Information Administration did not exist yet and concerns data and statistics rather than foundational recovery research.

Secondary oil recovery involves techniques that push additional oil out of a reservoir after the natural drive has declined, using methods like fluid injection to maintain pressure and improve output. Around 1917, these early investigations were carried out by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, a federal research agency focused on energy resources and extraction methods. Their work helped establish the feasibility of secondary recovery approaches and laid groundwork for later developments such as waterflooding.

Other options don’t align with the same historical role. The U.S. Geological Survey primarily conducts mapping and resource assessments rather than experimental recovery methods. The British Petroleum Institute is linked to industry research outside the U.S. context, and the Energy Information Administration did not exist yet and concerns data and statistics rather than foundational recovery research.