Several studies have been conducted in order to understand the fundamental mechanisms behind the observed increase in oil recovery using smart water.
This observed increase in oil recovery has been explained mainly using the wettability alteration mechanism. Formation of water soluble oil emulsion has also been reported as another possible reason to mobilize the trapped oil and increase the sweep efficiency.
The formation of water soluble oil emulsions takes place on interaction of insoluble salts (fines) with oils. However, the interaction of these fines with crude oil is not clear yet. It has been reported that silica fines size showed a great effect on formation of emulsion in high-salinity conditions for sandstone i.e. smaller fine size produced large amount of emulsion and vice versa.
In this project, we are investigating the influence of particle size of CaCO3 and CaSO4 on emulsion formation with North Sea crude oil. In addition, it will be examined if emulsion formation takes place at temperatures typically found in North Sea reservoirs.