Imbibition mechanisms of high temperature resistant microemulsion system in ultra-low permeability and tight reservoirs

Abstract

Lower-phase microemulsions with core-shell structure were prepared by microemulsion dilution method. The high temperature resistant systems were screened and the performance evaluation experiments were conducted to clarify the spontaneous imbibition mechanisms in ultra-low permeability and tight oil reservoirs, and to direct the field microfracture huff and puff test of oil well. The microemulsion system (O-ME) with cationic-nonionic surfactant as hydrophilic shell, No.3 white oil as oil phase core has the highest imbibition recovery; its spontaneous imbibition mechanisms include: the ultra-low interfacial tension and wettability reversal significantly reduce oil adhesion work to improve oil displacement efficiency, the nanoscale “core-shell structure” formed can easily enter micro-nano pores and throats to expand the swept volume, in addition, the remarkable effect of dispersing and solubilizing crude oil can improve the mobility of crude oil. Based on the experimental results, a microfracture huff and puff test of O-ME was carried out in Well YBD43-X506 of Shengli Oilfield. After being treated, the well had a significant increase of daily fluid production to 5 tons from 1.4 tons, and an increase of daily oil production to 2.7 tons from 1.0 ton before treatment.