Effect of multi-component ions exchange on low salinity EOR: Coupled geochemical simulation study

Ehsan Pouryousefy Quan Xie Ali Saeedi

The mechanism(s) of Low salinity water flooding (LSWF) has been extensively investigated for 15–20 years, as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly technique for improved oil recovery. However, there is still no consensus on the dominant mechanism(s) behind low salinity effect due to the complexity of interactions in the Crude oil/Brine/Rock (COBR) system. While wettability is most agreed mechanism of low salinity EOR effect. Nevertheless, the mechanism(s) behind the wettability change is debated between multi-component ion exchange (MIE) and double layer expansion (DLE) in sandstone reservoirs. This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of MIE with a coupled geochemical-reservoir model using published experimental data reported by Nasralla and Nasr-El-Din [1].

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petlm.2016.05.004