Experimental protocol for evaluation of micro-emulsions that modify the mojability in porous media. Application to colombian fields
Published 2019-06-30
Keywords
- Active Aquifer,
- Contact Angle,
- Formation Damage,
- Humidity,
- Microemulsions
- Mojability,
- Mobility,
- Relative Permeability,
- Capillary Pressure,
- Well Productivity,
- Interfacial Tension,
- Viscosity ...More
How to Cite
Abstract
Reserves of light crude oil are decreasing in contrast to the discoveries of heavy crude which is why attention has been focused on this type of hydrocarbons.
Colombia has a high potential in the heavy-crude development especially in the areas of the Llanos Orientales Basin (Campos: Rubiales, Castilla, Chichimene, Apiay, Suria) which have been produced in recent years to achieve that the 60% of the national production is associated with this type of resource.
Heavy-oil production is not easy due to its high viscosity which causes low oil mobility and early water production in reservoirs with active aquifers.
One of the main techniques used to increase productivity in heavy crude oil fields is the matrix stimulation of wells through the injection of treatments that positively alter the relative permeability curves (alteration of wettability) and thus improve the mobility of these crude oils. However, understanding the formation wettability is essential to optimize oil recovery. To assume that a formation is wettable by water, when in reality it is not, can cause irreversible damage to the reservoir.
Therefore, the current study focused on developing and implementing a protocol at the laboratory level, to evaluate water-based matrix stimulation treatments that have ability to reverse natural oil wettability (generally to the oil, due to high affinity between oil and rock minerals of reservoir) towards water wettability, which leads to an improvement of relative permeability to crude oil.
The experimental protocol was implemented at laboratory level for the Castilla Oilfield (Llanos Orientales basin in Colombia) and focused on three major stages.
1. Stage 1: Basic characterization of treatment fluids.
2. Stage 2: Fluid-fluid evaluation and rheological behavior of formation fluids Vs. Chemical treatments.
3. Stage 3: Evaluation of effect on wettability (modification of contact angles and relative permeability).
The main conclusions and recommendations obtained in this study are the following:
1. A suitable experimental protocol was developed for evaluation of microemulsions and / or mobility enhancing additives.
2. Implementation of protocol allowed selecting the best treatment of alteration of wettability for the Castilla oilfield.
3. The components of the oil, the brine chemistry, the mineral surface, the temperature, the pressure, the interfacial tension, the capillary pressure, the saturation history of reservoir, among other properties have an impact on the reservoir’s wettability.
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