Layer | Fill | Outline |
---|
Map layers
Theme | Visible | Selectable | Appearance | Zoom Range (now: 0) |
---|
Fill | Stroke |
---|---|
Collaborating Authors
Results
Abstract The two main parameters required to assess an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique in terms of its efficiency are interfacial tension and surface (wettability) alteration. The impact of these parameters on recovering what is left in the reservoir is crucial. With the current interest in brine injection as a potential-EOR method, the role of IFT and wettability alteration needs better understanding. In this study, a theoretical model is developed to evaluate the impact of both parameters. The results of this study indicate that salinity injection affects more surface wettability rather than interfacial tension. Conventional techniques of contact angle measurements on reservoir rocks at downhole conditions are very complicated. They are highly sensitive and require good core preservation and preparation. We propose a protocol to measure contact angle dependence on brine salinity, which includes a single contact measurement in rock/brine/oil system using fresh water and a set of less complicated measurements in brine/oil and rock/brine/air systems. The results of our predictive protocol for contact angle measurements are in very good agreement with conventional experimental measurements using glass/brine/dodecane system. The fact that simple contact angle measurements on the surface in air are required to calculate contact angles at different salinities makes the utilization of this protocol very attractive and less sensitive to surface preparation and its complexity.
- Asia > Middle East (0.47)
- Europe > Austria (0.28)
A Novel Approach to Handle Continuous Wettability Alteration during Immiscible CO2 Flooding Process
Al-Mutairi, Saad M. (King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals) | Abu-Khamsin, Sidqi A. (King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals) | Hossain, M. Enamul (King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals)
Abstract Wettability has been recognized as one of the main parameters that control the remaining oil-in-place. Knowledge of wettability alteration during displacement is essential to understand the displacement mechanisms and to recover oil efficiently. Continuous alteration of wettability and other related properties need to be addressed properly for an effective approach to enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Review of the literature reveals that much laboratory work, including core and micro-model flooding, was conducted to investigate wettability alteration during CO2 flooding process. However, limited research on numerical and/or analytical modeling of such wettability alteration has been reported. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, published numerical and/or analytical models are time-independent solutions. Ignoring this time dimension creates a significant knowledge gap between such solutions and reality. To mitigate this shortcoming, a novel approach was developed to handle wettability alteration on continuous basis during immiscible CO2 flooding process. A mathematical model was developed to incorporate continuous time function for immiscible CO2 flooding process. During the development of the model equation, Cory relative permeability model was utilized. In this model, a new, modified Corey relative permeability model was incorporated to calculate the phase relative permeability as a function of wettability. A numerical, 1-dimensional, two-phase immiscible simulation scheme was built utilizing MATLAB program to solve the model equations. The results showed that inclusion of continuous wettability alteration model is believed to predict oil displacement and sweep efficiency more realistically. #
- North America > United States > Texas (0.47)
- North America > United States > Oklahoma (0.29)