Mechanisms of smart waterflooding in carbonate oil reservoirs - A review

Jiasheng Hao, Samira Mohammadkhani, Hamidreza Shahverdi, Mohsen Nasr Esfahany, Alexander Shapiro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

81 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The goal of the present paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the literature describing the physical and chemical mechanisms for enhanced oil recovery under smart waterflooding in carbonate reservoirs. Advanced, or smart waterflooding is a term denoting directed alteration of the ionic composition of the injected brine in order to achieve a better oil recovery, in particular, the low salinity flooding. While injection of a low salinity brine in sandstones is well described, the acting mechanisms of advanced waterflooding are not fully clarified, and only few reservoir-scale tests have been carried out. Demonstration and comparison of the different phenomena explaining the effect of smart waterflooding are the goals of the present review. Unlike the previous such reviews, we do not only concentrate on the phenomena occurring on the rock-brine-oil interfaces, but also address dynamic phenomena caused by flow, like fluid diversion and emulsification. The paper comprises an up-to-date information, classification and guidance and, consequently, is intended to serve advancing the research in the area of smart waterflooding in carbonates.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)276-291
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Petroleum Science and Engineering
Volume179
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Carbonates
  • Engineered water injection
  • Improved oil recovery
  • Low salinity
  • Physical and chemical mechanisms of recovery
  • Smart waterflooding

Programme Area

  • Programme Area 3: Energy Resources

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