Experimental Study and Numerical Simulation of W/O Emulsion in Developing Heavy Oil Reservoirs

Abstract

In the process of waterflooding development of heavy oil, W/O emulsion has a strong ability to improve the mobility ratio and block the high-permeability layer, which can effectively improve the sweep coefficient and enhance oil recovery. In this paper, the stability and droplet size distribution of emulsions under different conditions were studied by taking heavy oil and formation water from Jimusar Oilfield in Xinjiang as samples. On this basis, double-pipe core flooding experiments were carried out to study the shut-off ability and oil displacement efficiency of W/O emulsion, and then a numerical simulation was carried out. The results show that oil and water can be completely emulsified when the stirring speed is higher than 4000 r/min. A stable emulsion can be formed when the experimental temperature is lower than 60 °C. A lower water cut results in a more stable emulsion. The emulsion is difficult to stabilize after the salinity exceeds 10,000 mg/L. When the pH value is about 7, the stability of the emulsion is the worst. With the increase in stirring speed, the increase in temperature, and the decrease in water content and salinity, the emulsion droplet size range is relatively concentrated, and the average particle size is smaller. In heterogeneous reservoirs, the permeability of different percolation channels is quite different, such that the displacement fluid only percolates along the high-permeability channel and cannot drive oil effectively. The results of displacement experiments show that the emulsion with a water cut of 60% has high viscosity and obvious sweep ability, but its stability is very poor; the effect is opposite when the water cut is less than 40%. The shut-off ability of W/O emulsion disappears gradually when the permeability contrast is more than 5.92. The research results are of great significance for improving oil recovery in heterogeneous heavy oil reservoirs.

Salviolone protects against high glucose‐induced proliferation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis of human renal mesangial cells by upregulating membrane metalloendopeptidase expression

“…The uncontrolled proliferation of renal mesangial cells is an important pathological feature of human renal diseases, including diabetic nephropathy (Cove-Smith & Hendry, 2008). In our study, we found that the proliferation of HRMCs was promoted under HG condition, which was consistent with the results of previous studies (Wang et al, 2022;Zhu et al, 2021). Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress has important roles in pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (Rosas-Martínez et al, 2021;Vodosek Hojs et al, 2020), and HG could result in oxidative stress in renal mesangial cells (Wan et al, 2022;Wei et al, 2021).…”

An Experimental Study and Numerical Simulation Analysis of Thermal Oxidation Characteristics Based on Kinetic Parameters in Heavy Oil Reservoirs

“…The ISC technology utilizes underground chemical reactions to thermally decompose heavy oil into light oil, thereby improving the quality of the extracted oil. This process encompasses various displacement mechanisms, including heating and viscosity reduction, chemical modification, steam distillation, non-miscible gas displacement, and carbon dioxide miscible displacement [15,16]. ISC technology consumes only about 20% of the fuel compared to other methods, effectively displacing the remaining oil and leading to a theoretical recovery rate exceeding 70%.…”

Flow Characterization in Fractured Shale Oil Matrices Using Advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Techniques

“…Currently, numerous researchers have employed laboratory experiments and numerical simulations to investigate the flow patterns in tight oil and gas reservoirs. Laboratory experiments focusing on flow characteristics generally use either steady-state or transient methods [4][5][6][7]. Ren et al [8] applied the steady-state method and capillary equilibrium technique to accurately delineate the seepage characteristics of tight oil.…”