Soaking time effect on low salinity water injection in sandstone reservoirs: Wettability, SEM, relative permeability, and waterflooding studies

This study used core and thin section analysis to investigate the time of soaking and factors that affect the mechanisms presented in the low salinity water (LSW) process. Applying a new injection plan, waterflood tests were conducted to enhance oil recovery (EOR) using the effects of soaking time. Additionally, monitoring of pressure data and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis during the test were examined to investigate the fine movement. The results show that the mechanisms related to it are completely time-dependent. Changes in wettability can be defined in the concept of ion exchange. The fine migration mechanism was observed in the LSW process, but its direct impact on the EOR is under discussion.