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Title: Functional wettability in carbonate reservoirs

Journal Article · · Energy and Fuels
 [1];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Engineered Salinity LLC, Laramie, WY (United States)

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.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1338317
Report Number(s):
SAND2016-7622J; 646430
Journal Information:
Energy and Fuels, Vol. 30, Issue 11; ISSN 0887-0624
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 113 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (6)

Response of Non-Polar Oil Component on Low Salinity Effect in Carbonate Reservoirs: Adhesion Force Measurement Using Atomic Force Microscopy journal December 2019
Effect of SO 4 −2 ion exchanges and initial water saturation on low salinity water flooding (LSWF) in the dolomite reservoir rocks journal May 2019
Wettability Alteration and Enhanced Oil Recovery Induced by Proximal Adsorption of Na + , Cl , Ca 2 + , Mg 2 + , and SO 4 2 Ions on Calcite journal September 2018
Characterization of Organic Layer in Oil Carbonate Reservoir Rocks and its Effect on Microscale Wetting Properties journal July 2019
Low Salinity Waterflooding in Carbonate Reservoirs: Review of Interfacial Mechanisms journal May 2018
Wettability alteration of carbonate rock by nonionic surfactants in water-based drilling fluid journal August 2018

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