Characterization of Rock and Fluid Properties for Low-Salinity Water Flooding of Highly Paraffinic Oil in a Deep Low-Permeability High-Pressure High-Temperature Offshore Carbonate Reservoir

Abstract

Characterization of the rock and fluids is an essential step in screening a reservoir for Low-Salinity Water Flooding (LSWF). A detailed characterization of rock and fluid properties using appropriate methods is being presented for LSWF in a low-permeability deep carbonate reservoir together with a critical analysis of findings. The techniques used are assessed against other possible alternative methods, with inferences drawn on advantages and disadvantages of each to better interpret and apply data so gathered. In so doing, discussions on their key features as to how they can be used effectively and efficiently to screen a reservoir for LSWF are also provided. Such integration of results with other available reservoir and production data should result in a comprehensive description of the target reservoir, and it will help interpret the mechanisms and process dynamics more reliably during a low-salinity waterflood. This integration should allow us not only to gain confidence on the experimental studies but could also help optimize the key parameters responsible for formulating a more robust, reliable and representative regime for tests relevant to the LSWF prior to its eventual implementation in the field. To authors’ knowledge, such integration of experimental studies has not yet been reported in the literature, particularly for the tight carbonate reservoirs with highly paraffinic oil.