Thermodynamic modeling of the temperature impact on low-salinity waterflooding performance in sandstones

Journal Article · 16 November 2019 · Colloids and Surfaces. A, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.124207 · OSTI ID:1576939

Mansi, Mohamed ^[1]; Mehana, Mohamed  ^[1]; Fahes, Mashhad ^[1]; Viswanathan, Hari ^[1]

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1. Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy, Norman, OK (United States); Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Low-salinity waterflooding has emerged as an innovative technique to improve oil recovery. Extensive research has been devoted to providing a better understanding of the mechanisms involved and to optimize its performance. Among those mechanisms, multi-component ion exchange mechanism explains the coordination of surface complexes in a way that highlights the essence of low-salinity waterflooding. However, the impact of temperature on low-salinity waterflooding is still poorly understood. We used surface complexation modeling to study both the oil/brine and mineral/brine interfaces up to a temperature of 150 °C. Given the heterogeneity of the oil interface, we studied three oil interfaces with varying total base number to total acid number ratios. It was determined that temperature is a critical factor in estimating the performance of low-salinity waterflooding. While temperature reduces the pH range at which low-salinity waterflooding yields positive effect for basic oil, it shifts the pH window at which low-salinity waterflooding has potentially negative results to lower pH values for neutral oil. In addition, the temperature magnifies the ability of low-salinity waterflooding to enhance surface potential. Furthermore, our results support the need for conducting experimental work at the relevant reservoir temperature to evaluate the performance of low-salinity waterflooding.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Universities/Institutions; USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: 89233218CNA000001
• OSTI ID: 1576939
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--19-28076
• Journal Information: Colloids and Surfaces. A, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Journal Name: Colloids and Surfaces. A, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects Vol. 586; ISSN 0927-7757
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English