Rock Wettability Alteration Induced by the Injection of Various Fluids: A Review
Source abstract
Abstract
Wettability is a key parameter that determines the distribution and behavior of fluids in the porous media of oil reservoirs. Understanding and controlling wettability significantly impacts the effectiveness of various enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods and CO2 sequestration. This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of various methods for measuring and altering wettability, classifying them by mechanisms and discussing their applications and limitations. The main methods for measuring wettability include spontaneous imbibition methods such as Amott–Harvey tests and USBM, contact angle measurement methods, and methods based on the characteristics of imbibed fluids such as infrared spectroscopy (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). These methods offer varying degrees of accuracy and applicability depending on the properties of rocks and fluids. Altering the wettability of rocks is crucial for enhancing oil recovery efficiency. The article discusses methods such as low-salinity water flooding (LSWF), the use of surfactants (SAAs), and carbonated water injection (CWI). LSWF has shown effectiveness in increasing water wettability and improving oil displacement. Surfactants alter interfacial tension and wettability, aiding in better oil displacement. CWI also contributes to altering the wettability of the rock surface to a more water-wet state. An important aspect is also the alteration of wettability through the dissolution and precipitation of minerals in rocks. The process of dissolution and precipitation affects pore structure, capillary pressure, and relative permeabilities, which in turn alters wettability and oil displacement efficiency.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques · Hydraulic Fracturing and Reservoir Analysis · Drilling and Well Engineering
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
U.A. Joldasbekov Institute of Mechanics and Engineering, Almaty 050013, Kazakhstan
Laboratory of Computational Modeling and Information Technologies, Satbayev University, Almaty 050013, Kazakhstan
Department of Mechanics, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
Funding
Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan
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