The application of direct current potential to enhancing waterflood recovery efficiency

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    32 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Advantages of direct current (DC) application, concurrently with waterflooding, in mobilizing trapped oil is investigated. Application of DC on completely water swept core recovered 3-9% additional oil, which is slightly less when DC is applied from the beginning of waterflooding process. Reduced water requirement (15-22%) and permeability enhancement up to 40% are found to be added benefits. The effect is more pronounced in higher permeability core and higher density oil. These phenomena are attributed to formation of clay colloids and mobilization of trapped oil along with connate water due to the added dynamics of electrokinetic and electrochemical processes.

    Original languageBritish English
    Pages (from-to)2160-2168
    Number of pages9
    JournalPetroleum Science and Technology
    Volume30
    Issue number20
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 15 Oct 2012

    Keywords

    • clay migration
    • electrokinetics
    • EOR
    • oil recovery

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'The application of direct current potential to enhancing waterflood recovery efficiency'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this