Effects of Formation Brine Compositions on Effectiveness of Low Salinity Brine Injection in Carbonate Reservoir

摘要

Nowadays, Low Salinity Waterflooding (LSWF) is considered as one of the most effective techniques to enhance oil recovery. Essential mechanism is a Multi-Ion Exchange (MIE). In carbonate formation, collaboration of Potential Determining Ions (PDI) with rock surface and crude oil results in adjustment of surface equilibrium. These ions in injected brine are thoroughly investigated but effects from formation brine are not well documented. In this study, ratio of divalent ions including calcium and magnesium ions in formation brine is studied. Results from imbibition test shows that formation brine containing calcium ion to magnesium ion ratio of 1:1 yields response to LSWF. Oppositely, formation brines with high ratios of 10:1 and 15:1 do not respond to LSWF. As calcium ion in connate water diffuses to injected water, high calcium ion will exhibit dissolution mechanism of rock surface which is part of oil recovery mechanisms. Formation brine with high calcium ion is therefore not recommended for LSWF. High portion of magnesium ion in formation brine does not affect effectiveness of LSWF. Dissolution of magnesium from rock may be obstructed but oil can still be liberated from calcium carboxylate complex and dissolution of calcium. Coreflood test shows similar result which confirms previous explanation.