Mini Review on Stability and Formation of Emulsion During Injection of Smart Water in Fractured Carbonate Reservoirs

Abstract

One of the most commonly used methods of enhanced oil recovery for use in carbonate reservoirs is the smart water injection method. Asphalt nitic compounds in the oil serve as natural surfactants and form water emulations in the oil when they are placed at the water and oil contact points. Besides, the salt contained in saltwater also contributes to the emulsion stability. Given that low-salty water and seawater are used for enhanced oil recovery, this process also increases the likelihood of the formation of W/O emulsions, so the assessment of the formation of W/O emulsions with low-salty water and seawater compounds and the stability of these emulsions due to the presence of different ions, can bring the conditions of formation of natural emulsions closer to actual events. Distinctive properties of injected water in order to form microemulsions of W/O and, the effect of concentration of ions in the injected smart water on the oil extraction efficiency have been investigated. Also, the formation of water emulsion in oil and its stability in oil sweeping in the formation in the case of smart water injection and its effect on the oil extraction efficiency have been discussed in full detail by presenting experimental results.