Systematic observations of enhanced oil recovery and associated changes at carbonate-brine and carbonate-petroleum interfaces.

ABSTRACT: Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) from carbonates is obtained by injection of controlled ionic strength brines containing "active ions" (e.g., SO₄^2-, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺). It is generally believed that this occurs through the interaction of the active ions at the carbonate-brine interface (e.g., within a thin brine layer separating the petroleum and the carbonate phases). Here, in-situ observations show how one active ion, SO₄^2-, alters behavior at the carbonate-petroleum interface. Displacement of petroleum from initially oil-wet carbonate rocks using brines with variable SO₄ concentrations systematically changes oil recovery, in situ contact angles, and connectivity of the oil phase, confirming that the active ion alters inter

SUBMITTER: Qin T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10558449 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature