Experimental investigation of electrokinetic assisted hybrid smartwater EOR in carbonate reservoirs

Y. Yim, M. R. Haroun, M. Al Kobaisi, H. K. Sarma, J. S. Gomes, M. M. Rahman

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

    15 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Smartwater flooding is a promising oil recovery technique, demonstrating positive results in many laboratory and field tests, by altering salinity and ionic composition of injection water. Injection of smartwater in carbonate reservoirs has gained interest due to its potential feasible application, taking advantage of improved oil recovery. Electrokinetic enhanced oil recovery (EK-EOR) is another rising technology that involves passing low D.C. current through the reservoir between a subsurface anode and cathode in the producing well. It has demonstrated a number of advantages including fluid viscosity reduction, permeability enhancement and reduced water cut. Our formulation aimed at advancing their combined mechanisms through a novel hybrid EOR. This study is the first attempt to present the experimental work on Smartwater Flooding integrated with the application of Electrokinetics (EK). The effects of total salinity, reducing monovalent ions (Na+ and Cl-) and spiking of multivalent anions (SO42-) on the crude oil/brine/rock interaction were studied. Zeta potential tests were integrated with core flooding experiments systematically designed to identify the optimum ionic concentration and current density. Optimization of current density was essential for controlling both Cl2 gas generation and formation damage. EK showed positive effects with our designed Smartwater, when optimum currentdensity was induced, allowing earlier production and incremental displacement efficiency of 2.4-6%.

    Original languageBritish English
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2017
    EventSPE Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2017 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
    Duration: 13 Nov 201716 Nov 2017

    Conference

    ConferenceSPE Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2017
    Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
    CityAbu Dhabi
    Period13/11/1716/11/17

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