Centrifuge method to predict matrix-block recovery in fractured reservoirs

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1970 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/2729-PA· OSTI ID:5311378

Kyte, J R

Previous laboratory investigations to predict recovery from matrix locks in a fractured reservoir have been primarily concerned with the imbibition oil recovery process. Gravity segregation can sometimes be more important than imbibition as a mechanism for oil recovery from matrix blocks. A new method is described to predict oil recovery behavior for matrix blocks in a fractured matrix reservoir. Centrifuge tests are performed with preserved reservoir core samples to scale the effects of both gravity and capillarity. The tests are easy to perform, yet, the results should be more reliable than results obtained by other available methods for predicting matrix-block recoveries. Centrifuge tests were performed on different sized reservoir rock samples to confirm the scaling theory. These tests were performed to simulate a water-oil displacement in a weakly water-wet reservoir. The method is equally applicable to other reservoir wettabilities and gas-oil displacements. In the weakly water-wet system, oil recovered by imbibition was found to be almost negligible as compared with the amount of oil recovered by gravity segregation. (12 refs.)

• Research Organization: Esso Production Res Co
• OSTI ID: 5311378
• Journal Information: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. 10:2; ISSN SEAPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
CAPILLARY FLOW
CENTRIFUGATION
ENGINEERING
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
RESERVOIR FLUIDS
RESERVOIR ROCK
SCALING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
WETTABILITY