Tuned Ion Solution for Carbonate Reservoir Wettability Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oilfield technologies are inefficient in producing downhole oil, with only 30% of oil from average US wells being recoverable, leaving 70% untapped, particularly in carbonate reservoirs where tailoring enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies is complex and costly due to trial-and-error methods.
Innovation Solution
The development of injection fluid tuning, which involves formulating a tuned ion solution by accessing the surface properties of rock and chemical composition of oil in a hydrocarbon reservoir to alter wettability and interfacial energy, using an electrolyte solution with specific ionic composition and concentration to enhance oil recovery, and employing a computer-readable medium to direct processors in formulating the ion solution for optimal results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional EOR technologies are used in carbonate reservoirs, then oil recovery can be improved, but the process becomes complex and costly due to trial and error methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the injection fluid by controlling ionic composition and concentration. Specifically, it uses monovalent ions with static polarizability larger than a preset limit to alter rock surface wettability, transforming the rock from oil-wet to water-wet state. This parameter-based approach eliminates the need for complex trial-and-error tailoring of EOR technologies while achieving effective oil recovery enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ions as an intermediary substance between the injection fluid and the rock surface. These direct contact ions act as mediators that modify the interfacial properties and wettability of the rock surface, enabling effective oil displacement without requiring complex EOR technology combinations. The ions serve as the active component that bridges the injection fluid and reservoir rock interaction.
2Productivity
If trial and error methods are used to determine EOR technology blends, then effective recovery can be achieved, but time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of reservoir rock surface properties and oil composition before injection. By pre-determining the ionic composition requirements based on rock surface charge and oil characteristics, the methodology eliminates the need for time-consuming trial-and-error field testing. The tuned ion solution is formulated in advance with specific monovalent ion concentrations tailored to the reservoir's specific properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms by using measured rock surface properties and oil composition data to adjust and optimize the ionic composition of the injection fluid. This feedback loop allows for precise tuning of the ion solution parameters based on actual reservoir conditions, achieving effective recovery without repeated trial-and-error cycles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves oil recovery by altering rock surface wettability, increasing water wetness, and modifying surface energy, thereby enhancing oil mobility and reducing the complexity and cost associated with traditional EOR methods in carbonate reservoirs.
Implementation Method 1
An ion effect on wettability of a contact surface of the rock can be acquired and then used to formulate a tuned ion solution based on the ion effect on wettability of the contact surface of the rock
Implementation Method 2
The electrolyte solution includes a content of direct contact ions including monovalent ions with a static polarizability larger than a preset limit sufficient to influence a contact surface of a rock in the reservoir to reach a desired wettability
Implementation Method 3
formulating a tuned ion solution by accessing the surface properties of rock and chemical composition of oil in a hydrocarbon reservoir to alter wettability and interfacial energy
Data Source
AI summary
Injection fluid tuning is provided. In one possible implementation, injection fluid can be tuned by accessing both surface properties of rock found in a hydrocarbon reservoir of interest and a chemical composition of oil found in the reservoir of interest. An ion effect on wettability of a contact surface of the rock can be acquired and then used to formulate a tuned ion solution based on the ion effect on wettability of the contact surface of the rock. In another possible implementation, an electrolyte solution has an ionic composition and an ionic concentration configured to enhance recovery of oil from a reservoir. The electrolyte solution includes a content of direct contact ions including monovalent ions with a static polarizability larger than a preset limit sufficient to influence a contact surface of a rock in the reservoir to reach a desired wettability.