Compositional Dependence of Wetting and Contact Angles in Solid-Liquid-Liquid Systems under Realistic Environments

Xu, Wei; Ayirala, Subhash C.; Rao, Dandina N.

doi:10.1002/cjce.5450840108

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Increasing the temperature to 90°C showed no effect on the surface wettability over 17 hours. Brine composition infl uenced the adsorption of insoluble components from crude oil onto the rock surface (Xu et al 2006). Addition of more divalent cations in the formation brine produced more positive charges on the rock surface.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Addition of more divalent cations in the formation brine produced more positive charges on the rock surface. Hence, these charges acted as attractive sites for the negative ends of polar components in crude oil (Xu et al 2006 can cover the rock surface and prevent contact between the rock and crude oil. Therefore, this tendency might keep the interface neutrally charged, so that the thin wetting-water fi lm would not be disturbed by acids/bases in the crude oil.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wettability Studies Using Low-Salinity Water in Sandstone Reservoirs

Alotaibi

Nasralla

Nasr‐El‐Din

2011

SPE Reservoir Evaluation &Amp; Engineering

153

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The ionic strength of injection water can have a major impact on oil recovery resulting from the use of low-salinity brines. Understanding how the water and oil chemistry affects the final recovery from a physicochemical point of view is necessary in order to optimize low-salinity waterflooding. It is clear from the literature that wettability is a key factor in achieving the low-salinity effect. Optimum ionic strength and conditions for low-salinity flooding with respect to wettability are still uncertain.In this paper, we studied fluid/rock interactions at different salinity levels and elevated temperature conditions in terms of wettability and surface charge. Wettability is determined by a high-temperature/high-pressure (HT/HP) contact-angle method and zeta-potential technique. Outcrop rocks and stock-tank crudeoil samples were used in all experiments. Synthetic formation brine water, aquifer water, and seawater were evaluated under highpressure conditions. Zeta potential of sandstone rocks and selected clay minerals was measured as a function of ionic strength.Wettability of oil/brine/sandstone systems depends on salinity, temperature, and rock mineralogy. Using aquifer water in Berea sandstone improved the wettability toward a water-wet condition. The same aquifer water behaved in a different way when a different sandstone surface was tested. In Scioto sandstone, aquifer water changed the wettability to a neutral state. Low-salinity water expanded the double-layer thickness and eventually increased the zeta-potential magnitude. As a result of this expansion, it provides a greater opportunity to alter the wettability and enhance oil recovery. This study indicates that clay content in sandstone rocks can significantly alter the wettability either toward water-wet or intermediate. On the basis of the results obtained from this study, it is clear that low-salinity waterflooding can improve oil recovery in the field.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wettability Studies Using Low-Salinity Water in Sandstone Reservoirs

Alotaibi

Nasralla

Nasr‐El‐Din

2011

SPE Reservoir Evaluation &Amp; Engineering

153

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Berea and Scioto sandstone contact angles depend on the nature of the rock. Increasing the temperature to 194ºF showed no change on the rock wettability over time duration of 17 h. Adsorption of insoluble components from crude oil on the rock surface is affected by brine composition (Xu et al 2006). Addition of more divalent cations in the formation brine resulted in more positive charges on rock surface.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…This is the main reason behind having different wetting characteristics. Xu et al (2006) reported that silica (quartz and Berea) adsorbed and transferred electrons very rapidly. Seawater altered the Scioto rock surface towards water-wet condition at low and high temperature conditions.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Addition of more divalent cations in the formation brine resulted in more positive charges on rock surface. Hence, these charges acted as attractive sites for the negative ends of polar components in crude oil (Xu et al 2006). Xu et al reported that monovalent ions (Na + ) can covered the rock surface and prevented the contact between the rock and crude oil.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Comprehensive EOR Study Using Low Salinity Water in Sandstone Reservoirs

Alotaibi

Azmy

Nasr‐El‐Din

2010

SPE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium

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It has been reported that the ionic strength of injection water can have a major impact on the recovery of hydrocarbons during waterfloods, with increased recovery resulting from the use of low salinity brines. Understanding how the water and oil chemistry affects the final recovery from a physicochemical point of view is necessary in order to optimize low salinity water flooding process. It is clear from the literature over the last two decades that wettability is considered a key factor in achieving the low salinity effect. Optimum ionic strength and conditions for low salinity flood with respect to wettability is still uncertain.In this study, we integrate new coreflood apparatus using core samples, up to 20 inch length, to mimic and understand crude oil/water/rock interactions. The coreflood experiments are conducted under both secondary and tertiary recovery modes. We applied contact angle method to study rocks wettability. Reservoir rocks and stock-tank crude oil sample (west Texas) are utilized in all experiments. Synthetic brines varying in salinity (up to 174kppm) are tested under elevated temperature and pressure conditions. As ion exchange plays a crucial role in changing wettability, chemical analyses are performed on the effluent samples. Moreover, Zeta potential is determined for sandstone rocks and selected clays as a function of ionic strength.Residual oil saturation is determined with all variation in wettability, brine salinity, and temperature conditions. Some core flood tests give an incremental increase in produced oil as decreasing the injection brines ionic strength. Experimental results indicate that adjusting brine salinity may enhance oil recovery under certain conditions. This paper gives a new insight into optimum salinity and provides better understanding of interaction between injected brine, the oil, and the rock at downhole conditions. IntroductionThe objective of this paper is to investigate if low salinity water is more effective than normal brine in waterflooding operation. Less attention has been given to the chemistry of injection water. Low salinity waterflooing is typically in the range of 500 to 5,000 parts per million (ppm) of total dissolved solids (TDS), and no more than 6,000 ppm. This paper structured into four sections: 1) wettability study using contact angles technique, 2) Low salinity water effect on rock surface charges, 3) coreflood experiments, and 4) aqueous solution analysis using atomic absorption. Our paper contributes to the literature in two ways. The first contribution is to explain the rock's wettability performance using surface contact angle. The other contribution is to determine the water salinity effect on oil recovery, surface charges and ions exchange.

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Interactions of DTPA chelating agent with sandstone rocks during EOR: Rock surface charge study

Alarifi

Mahmoud

2018

Fuel

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Compositional Dependence of Wetting and Contact Angles in Solid-Liquid-Liquid Systems under Realistic Environments

Cited by 13 publications

References 20 publications

Wettability Studies Using Low-Salinity Water in Sandstone Reservoirs

Wettability Studies Using Low-Salinity Water in Sandstone Reservoirs

A Comprehensive EOR Study Using Low Salinity Water in Sandstone Reservoirs

Interactions of DTPA chelating agent with sandstone rocks during EOR: Rock surface charge study

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