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2024 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

Enhancing Oil Extraction in Sandstone Reservoir with High Water Cut: Exploring the Impact of Low Salinity Sodium Chloride and Molecular Dynamics Consequences

Authors : Ernest Peter Maiki, Renyuan Sun, Shaoran Ren, Ayman Mutahar AlRassas, Haipeng Cao

Published in: Proceedings of the International Field Exploration and Development Conference 2023

Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore

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Abstract

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of using low-salinity water flooding to improve the recovery of oil from a sandstone reservoir in an excessively high-water cut stage. The experiments were conducted on six sandstone cores, each representing a different water cut level, ranging from 70% to 95%. Initially, formation water was injected to adjust the water content to the desired level before switching to low-salinity injection. Sodium chloride (NaCl) brines with concentrations ranging from 2000 mg/L to 20,000 mg/L were used. The selected cores had porosity levels between 27% and 28% and permeability values between 280 mD and 300 mD. Different injection rates for the brines, ranging from 0.5 cm³/s to 3 cm³/s, were also investigated.

The results show that low-salinity water flooding had significant potential for increasing oil recovery in a reservoir at a high water cut stage. However, the proper timing of low-salinity water flooding was crucial to limit excessive displacement of porous particles caused by continuous water flooding. Initiating low-salinity injection early effectively mitigates this issue, reduces high water content, and maximizes oil recovery. Moreover, brines with NaCl concentrations between 200 mg/L and 5,000 mg/L yielded higher oil recovery compared to brines with higher salinity levels, between 10,000 mg/L and 20,000 mg/L. This difference can be partly attributed to the Jamin effect, which occurs during fluid flow at high water cut levels. Low-salinity brines alter the interaction between the reservoir rock and oil, leading to more efficient displacement and improved oil recovery.

Additionally, the discussion on three models for rising water rates to optimize the timing of injection and prevent the detachment of porous particles from the sandstone was tackled. These models provide valuable insights into the reservoir's behavior, helping reservoir engineers determine the best timing for low-salinity water injection to maximize oil recovery. These findings contribute significantly to the understanding of the potential benefits of low-salinity water flooding in sandstone reservoirs with high water content. The optimized injection strategy, considering early injection timing and appropriate brine salinity levels, offers essential guidance for reservoir engineers looking to enhance oil recovery in similar reservoir conditions.

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Title: Enhancing Oil Extraction in Sandstone Reservoir with High Water Cut: Exploring the Impact of Low Salinity Sodium Chloride and Molecular Dynamics Consequences
Authors: Ernest Peter Maiki
Renyuan Sun
Shaoran Ren
Ayman Mutahar AlRassas
Haipeng Cao
Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore
Book: Proceedings of the International Field Exploration and Development Conference 2023
Print ISBN: 978-981-9702-59-6

Electronic ISBN: 978-981-9702-60-2

Copyright Year: 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0260-2_138