Experimental Study on the Mechanism of Enhanced Imbibition with Different Types of Surfactants in Low-Permeability Glutenite Reservoirs

Due to the complex physical properties of low-permeability glutenite reservoirs, the oil recovery rate with conventional development is low. Surfactants are effective additives for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) due to their good ability of wettability alteration and interfacial tension (IFT) reduction...

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Main Authors: Hongyan Qu, Jilong Shi, Mengyao Wu, Fujian Zhou, Jun Zhang, Yan Peng, Tianxi Yu, Zhejun Pan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/24/5953
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author Hongyan Qu
Jilong Shi
Mengyao Wu
Fujian Zhou
Jun Zhang
Yan Peng
Tianxi Yu
Zhejun Pan
author_facet Hongyan Qu
Jilong Shi
Mengyao Wu
Fujian Zhou
Jun Zhang
Yan Peng
Tianxi Yu
Zhejun Pan
author_sort Hongyan Qu
collection DOAJ
description Due to the complex physical properties of low-permeability glutenite reservoirs, the oil recovery rate with conventional development is low. Surfactants are effective additives for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) due to their good ability of wettability alteration and interfacial tension (IFT) reduction, but the reason why imbibition efficiencies vary with different types of surfactants and the mechanism of enhanced imbibition in the glutenite reservoirs is not clear. In this study, the imbibition efficiency and recovery of surfactants including the nonionic, anionic, and cationic surfactants as well as nanofluids were evaluated and compared with produced water (PW) using low-permeability glutenite core samples from the Lower Urho Formation in the Mahu oil field. Experiments of IFT, wettability, emulsification, and imbibition at high-temperature and high-pressure were conducted to reveal the underlying EOR mechanisms of different types of surfactants. The distribution and utilization of oil in different pores during the imbibition process were characterized by a combined method of mercury intrusion and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The main controlling factors of surfactant-enhanced imbibition in glutenite reservoirs were clarified. The results demonstrate that the micropores and mesopores contribute most to imbibition recovery in low-permeability glutenite reservoirs. The anionic surfactant KPS exhibits a good capacity of reducing IFT, wettability alteration, and oil emulsification with the highest oil recovery of 49.02%, 8.49% higher than PW. The nonionic surfactant OP-10 performs well on oil emulsification and wetting modification with imbibition recovery of 48.11%. This study sheds light on the selection of suitable surfactants for enhanced imbibition in low-permeability glutenite reservoirs and improves the understanding of oil production through enhanced imbibition.
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spelling doaj-art-8c056f5e511a4676b0184f8d935222df2024-12-27T14:42:45ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492024-12-012924595310.3390/molecules29245953Experimental Study on the Mechanism of Enhanced Imbibition with Different Types of Surfactants in Low-Permeability Glutenite ReservoirsHongyan Qu0Jilong Shi1Mengyao Wu2Fujian Zhou3Jun Zhang4Yan Peng5Tianxi Yu6Zhejun Pan7National Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, ChinaNational Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, ChinaNational Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, ChinaNational Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, ChinaNational Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, ChinaCollege of Petroleum, China University of Petroleum-Beijing at Karamay, Karamay 834000, ChinaEngineering Technology Research Institute, PetroChina Xinjiang Oilfield Company, Karamay 834000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Continental Shale Oil, Northeast Petroleum University, Daqing 163318, ChinaDue to the complex physical properties of low-permeability glutenite reservoirs, the oil recovery rate with conventional development is low. Surfactants are effective additives for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) due to their good ability of wettability alteration and interfacial tension (IFT) reduction, but the reason why imbibition efficiencies vary with different types of surfactants and the mechanism of enhanced imbibition in the glutenite reservoirs is not clear. In this study, the imbibition efficiency and recovery of surfactants including the nonionic, anionic, and cationic surfactants as well as nanofluids were evaluated and compared with produced water (PW) using low-permeability glutenite core samples from the Lower Urho Formation in the Mahu oil field. Experiments of IFT, wettability, emulsification, and imbibition at high-temperature and high-pressure were conducted to reveal the underlying EOR mechanisms of different types of surfactants. The distribution and utilization of oil in different pores during the imbibition process were characterized by a combined method of mercury intrusion and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The main controlling factors of surfactant-enhanced imbibition in glutenite reservoirs were clarified. The results demonstrate that the micropores and mesopores contribute most to imbibition recovery in low-permeability glutenite reservoirs. The anionic surfactant KPS exhibits a good capacity of reducing IFT, wettability alteration, and oil emulsification with the highest oil recovery of 49.02%, 8.49% higher than PW. The nonionic surfactant OP-10 performs well on oil emulsification and wetting modification with imbibition recovery of 48.11%. This study sheds light on the selection of suitable surfactants for enhanced imbibition in low-permeability glutenite reservoirs and improves the understanding of oil production through enhanced imbibition.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/24/5953enhanced oil recovery (EOR)low-permeability glutenite reservoirssurfactantimbibitionnuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
spellingShingle Hongyan Qu
Jilong Shi
Mengyao Wu
Fujian Zhou
Jun Zhang
Yan Peng
Tianxi Yu
Zhejun Pan
Experimental Study on the Mechanism of Enhanced Imbibition with Different Types of Surfactants in Low-Permeability Glutenite Reservoirs
Molecules
enhanced oil recovery (EOR)
low-permeability glutenite reservoirs
surfactant
imbibition
nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
title Experimental Study on the Mechanism of Enhanced Imbibition with Different Types of Surfactants in Low-Permeability Glutenite Reservoirs
title_full Experimental Study on the Mechanism of Enhanced Imbibition with Different Types of Surfactants in Low-Permeability Glutenite Reservoirs
title_fullStr Experimental Study on the Mechanism of Enhanced Imbibition with Different Types of Surfactants in Low-Permeability Glutenite Reservoirs
title_full_unstemmed Experimental Study on the Mechanism of Enhanced Imbibition with Different Types of Surfactants in Low-Permeability Glutenite Reservoirs
title_short Experimental Study on the Mechanism of Enhanced Imbibition with Different Types of Surfactants in Low-Permeability Glutenite Reservoirs
title_sort experimental study on the mechanism of enhanced imbibition with different types of surfactants in low permeability glutenite reservoirs
topic enhanced oil recovery (EOR)
low-permeability glutenite reservoirs
surfactant
imbibition
nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/24/5953
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