Abstract
The article presents an extended analytical review of modern methods for stimulating highviscosity oil reservoirs applied under the conditions of Kazakhstan oil fields. The main enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies are considered, including hydraulic fracturing, acid treatments, thermal, physical, and chemical methods, as well as modern combined approaches. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the mechanisms of action, their efficiency, and limitations in the development of hard-to-recover reserves. It is shown that the effectiveness of the considered methods is determined by a combination of geological and physical characteristics of the reservoir, such as permeability, heterogeneity, temperature, and pressure, as well as oil properties, including its viscosity and composition. It has been established that traditional methods, despite their widespread use, have a number of significant drawbacks associated with high energy intensity, considerable costs, and risks of deterioration of the near-wellbore zone. Special attention is given to combined stimulation technologies, in particular thermobarochemical treatment, which integrates thermal, chemical, and gas-dynamic effects. It is demonstrated that the application of these technologies in combination with continuous reagent injection systems ensures a more uniform distribution of active substances, process stabilization, and increased efficiency of reservoir stimulation. It is concluded that a transition to integrated development technologies is advisable to improve the oil recovery factor, reduce energy consumption, and ensure sustainable development of oil production in Kazakhstan.