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Title: Functional wettability in carbonate reservoirs

Abstract

Oil adsorbs to carbonate reservoirs indirectly through a relatively thick separating water layer, and directly to the surface through a relatively thin intervening water layer. Whereas directly sorbed oil desorbs slowly and incompletely in response to changes in reservoir conditions, indirectly sorbed oil can be rapidly desorbed by changing the chemistry of the separating water layer. The additional recovery might be as much as 30% original oil in place (OOIP) above the ~30% OOIP recovered from carbonates through reservoir depressurization (primary production) and viscous displacement (waterflooding). Electrostatic adhesive forces are the dominant control over carbonate reservoir wettability. A surface complexation model that quantifies electrostatic adhesion accurately predicts oil recovery trends for carbonates. Furthermore, the approach should therefore be useful for estimating initial wettability and designing fluids that improve oil recovery.

Authors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Engineered Salinity LLC, Laramie, WY (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
OSTI Identifier:
1338317
Report Number(s):
SAND2016-7622J
Journal ID: ISSN 0887-0624; 646430
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Energy and Fuels
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 30; Journal Issue: 11; Journal ID: ISSN 0887-0624
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
02 PETROLEUM

Citation Formats

Brady, Patrick V., and Thyne, Geoffrey. Functional wettability in carbonate reservoirs. United States: N. p., 2016. Web. doi:10.1021/acs.energyfuels.6b01895.
Brady, Patrick V., & Thyne, Geoffrey. Functional wettability in carbonate reservoirs. United States. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.6b01895
Brady, Patrick V., and Thyne, Geoffrey. Tue . "Functional wettability in carbonate reservoirs". United States. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.6b01895. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1338317.
@article{osti_1338317,
title = {Functional wettability in carbonate reservoirs},
author = {Brady, Patrick V. and Thyne, Geoffrey},
abstractNote = {Oil adsorbs to carbonate reservoirs indirectly through a relatively thick separating water layer, and directly to the surface through a relatively thin intervening water layer. Whereas directly sorbed oil desorbs slowly and incompletely in response to changes in reservoir conditions, indirectly sorbed oil can be rapidly desorbed by changing the chemistry of the separating water layer. The additional recovery might be as much as 30% original oil in place (OOIP) above the ~30% OOIP recovered from carbonates through reservoir depressurization (primary production) and viscous displacement (waterflooding). Electrostatic adhesive forces are the dominant control over carbonate reservoir wettability. A surface complexation model that quantifies electrostatic adhesion accurately predicts oil recovery trends for carbonates. Furthermore, the approach should therefore be useful for estimating initial wettability and designing fluids that improve oil recovery.},
doi = {10.1021/acs.energyfuels.6b01895},
journal = {Energy and Fuels},
number = 11,
volume = 30,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Oct 11 00:00:00 EDT 2016},
month = {Tue Oct 11 00:00:00 EDT 2016}
}

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Works referencing / citing this record:

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