Research Article
Impact of Pore Structure and Wettability on CO2-water Displacement and Relative Permeability
Abuzar Abdollahi*
,
Mohsen Masihi
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, June 2025
Pages:
37-48
Received:
21 May 2025
Accepted:
12 June 2025
Published:
10 July 2025
Abstract: Understanding the influence of pore structure and wettability on fluid displacement is critical for optimizing enhanced oil recovery and carbon dioxide sequestration. This study investigates the impact of porous media structure and wettability on carbon dioxide-water displacement and relative permeability at the pore scale. Three digital porous media models—real (derived from CT scans), simplified (spherical grains), and homogeneous (uniform grains)—were simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics. Carbon dioxide was injected at 0.001m/s into water-saturated models with wettability angles of 30°, 60°, and 75° in a water-wet system. The Level Set method coupled with Navier-Stokes equations modeled two-phase flow, and relative permeability was calculated using a modified JBN approach. Results revealed that homogeneous models exhibited the shortest breakthrough time and highest water recovery, while complex real models showed the longest breakthrough time and lowest recovery. Increasing wettability delayed breakthrough, increased water relative permeability, and decreased gas permeability, though differences across models were modest due to the water-wet condition. The homogeneous model displayed near-piston-like displacement, contrasting with the complex flow paths in the real model. These findings underscore the critical role of pore structure in fluid recovery and inform strategies for carbon dioxide injection. Future research should explore dynamic wettability changes and three-dimensional modeling to enhance predictive accuracy for reservoir-scale applications.
Abstract: Understanding the influence of pore structure and wettability on fluid displacement is critical for optimizing enhanced oil recovery and carbon dioxide sequestration. This study investigates the impact of porous media structure and wettability on carbon dioxide-water displacement and relative permeability at the pore scale. Three digital porous med...
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Research Article
Assessment of the Possibility of Using Industrial Hyperbranched Polymers as Reagents for Increasing the Capacity of Pipelines When Pumping Non-conventional Hydrocarbon
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, June 2025
Pages:
49-54
Received:
19 February 2025
Accepted:
17 March 2025
Published:
3 September 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ogce.20251303.12
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Abstract: Pipeline transportation of oil media is one of the most energy-intensive operations in the process of hydrocarbon development, and technological operations aimed at resource and energy saving in pipeline pumping processes have a significant impact on the technical and economic indicators of projects. The article presents the results of a laboratory evaluation of Boltorn industrial hyperbranched polymers for the possibility of increasing the throughput of an oil system of unconventional reserves and reducing the hydraulic resistance of the pipeline system during its pumping. As part of the research, 4 reagents were studied - Boltorn H311, Boltorn W3000, Boltorn P500, Boltorn H2004. Industrial additives differ in their chemical structure and molecular weight. The compositions of Boltorn industrial hyperbranched polymers were preliminarily studied on a model medium - diesel fuel for primary selection. Preliminary studies made it possible to select two reagents for further research - Boltorn H311 and Boltorn W3000, which were studied on a mixture of crude oil emulsion with diesel fuel with a final kinematic viscosity of 47mm2/s at a temperature of 25°C. The maximum efficiency of Boltorn W3000 on an oil emulsion was 13.6% at a concentration of 200 ppm, for the Boltorn H311 composition on an oil emulsion - 12.7% at a concentration of 150 ppm. An additional measure of the effectiveness of throughput-increasing reagents is the assessment of the reagent's resistance to mechanical destruction. For example, for the Boltorn W3000 additive at a concentration of 200 ppm, the effectiveness of reducing hydraulic resistance was more than 800 circulation cycles, which confirms its long-term effectiveness with sequential pipeline pumping.
Abstract: Pipeline transportation of oil media is one of the most energy-intensive operations in the process of hydrocarbon development, and technological operations aimed at resource and energy saving in pipeline pumping processes have a significant impact on the technical and economic indicators of projects. The article presents the results of a laboratory...
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