Modeling of A Low Salinity Waterflooding in Carbonate Reservoir

Abstract

Some studies about low salinity waterflooding (LSW) was carried out to observe the mechanisms of LSW and the response of each reservoir in a certain condition. The majority of topics about LSW are in a laboratory investigation and in a sandstone implementation. Although the benefits of LSW were reported, only a few studies discussed the LSW simulation process, especially in carbonates reservoir . Therefore, this research is deemed necessary to discuss the modeling process of LSW in carbonates reservoir for a comprehensive understanding of the simulation application. One of the primary mechanisms of LSW in carbonate is wettability alteration. The geochemistry software which is used provides the calculation of some reactions that affect the oil recovery mechanism. By developing a homogeneous cubic model with a 5-spot pattern, the simulation scenarios are arranged to compare the injection water using formation water (salinity is about 179,730 ppm) to lower salinity brine by diluting 10 and 20 times of formation water. The LSW process during 50 years improves oil recovery by about 4% higher than formation water injection. But it has the potential increasing oil recovery if we see the trend. It can be concluded that a low salinity waterflooding is an opportune method that is considered to be applied for increasing oil recovery in carbonates reservoir. Even though the process is not immediately visible because it needs time for reaction, it means the sooner LSW implemented is suggested.