TECHNOLOGICAL MODIFICATIONS OF LOW SALINITY WATER FLOODING AND SMART WATER FLOODING

Abstract

Background The search for alternative, cheap and environmentally friendly methods of enhanced oil recovery has led to the development and subsequent introduction of smart water (Smart Water Flooding - SWF) and Low Salinity Water Flooding (LSWF) technologies. These technologies were tested in the laboratory and successfully implemented around the world on real-life deposits. However, due to the uniqueness of every reservoir and the generally high CAPEX and OPEX of offshore projects. There is the constant need to customize technology to fit the exact reservoir conditions on a field. Such research advancements in this particular line of enhanced oil recovery methods in recent years are: o application of Carbonated Smart Water in Carbonate Reservoirs; o combination of Polymer and Low Salinity Water Flooding Offshore; o Low Salinity Hot Water injection for Carbonate Reservoirs. Aims and Objectives Analysis of the results of laboratory and field research Smart Water Flooding technology and Low Salinity Water Flooding technology in order to study their mechanism and improvement. Results The results of the experiments showed that during the flooding of the core, the tertiary recovery using the SWI technology resulted in the recovery of 4.8-9.5 %, while using the CSWI technology, additional oil was obtained in the amount of 5.7-13.6 %. From the point of view of determining the required polymer concentration and the salinity of the injected water used, the reduction of polymer consumption by about 5-10 times and the possibility of using saline as an additional water instead of sea water are shown. When using the technology of hot injection of salted water, enhanced ion exchange and reduction of oil viscosity under the influence of thermal energy improve the maximum oil recovery by 7.8 % compared with LSWI technology without hot water. However, for each specific oil field, the technologies under consideration should be investigated further in order to substantiate their economic purpose.