A Unified Theory on Residual Oil Saturation and Irreducible Water Saturation

Author(s):  
Nick P. Valenti ◽  
R.M. Valenti ◽  
L.F. Koederitz

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Efeoghene Enaworu ◽  
Tim Pritchard ◽  
Sarah J. Davies

Abstract This paper describes a unique approach for exploring the Flow Zone Index (FZI) concept using available relative permeability data. It proposes an innovative routine for relating the FZI parameter to saturation end-points of relative permeability data and produces a better model for relative permeability curves. In addition, this paper shows distinct wettabilities for various core samples and validated functions between FZI and residual oil saturation (Sor), irreducible water saturation (Swi), maximum oil allowed to flow (Kro, max), maximum water allowed to flow (Krw, max),and mobile/recoverable oil (100-Swi-Sor). The wettability of the core samples were defined using cross-plots of relative permeability of oil (Kro), relative permeability of water (Krw), and water saturation (Sw). After classifying the data sets into their respective wettabilities based on these criteria, a stepwise non-linear regression analysis was undertaken to develop realistic correlations between the FZI parameter, initial water saturation and end-point relative permeability parameters. In addition, a correlation using Corey's type generalised model was developed using relative permeability data, with new power law constants and well defined curves. Other parameters, including Sor, Swi, Kro, max, Krw,max and mobile oil, were plotted against FZI and correlations developed for them showed unique well behaved plots with the exception of the Sor plot. A possible theory to explain this unexpected behaviour of the FZI Vs Sor cross plot was noted and discussed. These derived functions and established relationships between the FZI term and other petrophysical parameters such as permeability, porosity, water saturation, relative permeability and residual oil saturation can be applied to other wells or reservoir models where these key parameters are already known or unknown. These distinctive established correlations could be employed in the proper characterization of a reservoir as well as predicting and ground truthing petrophysical properties.



2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (04) ◽  
pp. 710-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Zuta ◽  
Ingebret Fjelde

Summary The coinjection of carbon dioxide (CO2) and a CO2-foaming agent to form stable CO2 foam has been found to improve the sweep efficiency during CO2-foam processes in carbonate reservoirs. However, only a few studies of CO2-foam transport in fractured rock have been reported. In fractured chalk reservoirs with low matrix permeability, the aqueous CO2-foaming-agent solution will flow mainly through the fractures. The total retention of the CO2-foaming agent in the reservoir will depend on how much of the matrix is contacted by the CO2-foaming-agent solution during the project period and, therefore, on its transport rate into the matrix. This paper presents results from a series of static and flowthrough experiments carried out to investigate the transport and retention phenomena of CO2-foaming agents in fractured chalk models at 55°C. Fractured chalk models with 100% water-saturation and residual-oil saturation after waterflooding were used. In the static experiments, the fractured model was created by transferring core plugs with different diameters into steel cells with an annulus space around the plugs. The fracture volume was filled with foaming-agent solutions with different initial concentrations. The experiments were carried out in parallel, with liquid samples regularly taken out from the fracture above the plugs and analyzed for the foaming-agent concentration. The experiments were monitored until the concentrations in the fractures reached a plateau. At specific and constant concentrations of the foaming agent in the fractures, the plugs were demounted and samples drilled out along the whole lengths of the plugs from the outer, middle, and center portions. These samples were analyzed for foaming-agent concentration to determine how much of it had penetrated the matrix. Results indicate that the transport of the foaming-agent decreases toward the center of the plugs with 100% water-saturation and residual-oil saturation after waterflooding. Modeling of the static experiments using the Computer Modelling Group (CMG)'s commercial reservoir simulator STARS was also carried out to determine the transport rate for the foaming agent. A good history match between experimental and modeling results was obtained. In the flow-through experiments, the fractured model was created by drilling a concentric hole through the center of the plug. The hole, simulating an artificial fracture, was filled with glass beads of different dimensions. Fractured models with different effective permeability were flooded with equal volumes of the foaming-agent solution. Results show that the transport of CO2-foaming agent into the matrix is slower in the fractured models than in the homogeneous models with viscous flooding of the rock.





2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prakash Purswani ◽  
Russell T. Johns ◽  
Zuleima T. Karpyn

Abstract The relationship between residual saturation and wettability is critical for modeling enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes. The wetting state of a core is often quantified through Amott indices, which are estimated from the ratio of the saturation fraction that flows spontaneously to the total saturation change that occurs due to spontaneous flow and forced injection. Coreflooding experiments have shown that residual oil saturation trends against wettability indices typically show a minimum around mixed-wet conditions. Amott indices, however, provides an average measure of wettability (contact angle), which are intrinsically dependent on a variety of factors such as the initial oil saturation, aging conditions, etc. Thus, the use of Amott indices could potentially cloud the observed trends of residual saturation with wettability. Using pore network modeling (PNM), we show that residual oil saturation varies monotonically with the contact angle, which is a direct measure of wettability. That is, for fixed initial oil saturation, the residual oil saturation decreases monotonically as the reservoir becomes more water-wet (decreasing contact angle). Further, calculation of Amott indices for the PNM data sets show that a plot of the residual oil saturation versus Amott indices also shows this monotonic trend, but only if the initial oil saturation is kept fixed. Thus, for the cases presented here, we show that there is no minimum residual saturation at mixed-wet conditions as wettability changes. This can have important implications for low salinity waterflooding or other EOR processes where wettability is altered.



2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Taufiq Fathaddin ◽  
Asri Nugrahanti ◽  
Putri Nurizatulshira Buang ◽  
Khaled Abdalla Elraies

In this paper, simulation study was conducted to investigate the effect of spatial heterogeneity of multiple porosity fields on oil recovery, residual oil and microemulsion saturation. The generated porosity fields were applied into UTCHEM for simulating surfactant-polymer flooding in heterogeneous two-layered porous media. From the analysis, surfactant-polymer flooding was more sensitive than water flooding to the spatial distribution of multiple porosity fields. Residual oil saturation in upper and lower layers after water and polymer flooding was about the same with the reservoir heterogeneity. On the other hand, residual oil saturation in the two layers after surfactant-polymer flooding became more unequal as surfactant concentration increased. Surfactant-polymer flooding had higher oil recovery than water and polymer flooding within the range studied. The variation of oil recovery due to the reservoir heterogeneity was under 9.2%.



1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.T. Edwards ◽  
M.M. Honarpour ◽  
R.D. Hazlett ◽  
M. Cohen ◽  
A. Membere ◽  
...  


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document