Practically all enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes require mobility control techniques to minimize channeling, gravity override, and viscous fingering of the displacing phase. In oil reservoirs that contain free gas, high gas-oil ratio production is a widespread problem, because gas segregates as a result of its higher mobility. This condition may cause reduced oil production rates, loss of drive energy, loss of recoverable oil, and problems with fluid processing. Use of foam as mobility-control fluid has shown promise in a wide range of EOR techniques including steam flooding, CO_2, light hydrocarbon or N_2 injection, and chemical flooding. The success of any mobility control process, including foams, is determined by the microscopic displacement efficiency of the displacing fluid at pore level. Microscopic displacement efficiency is determined by the interactions of rock pore geometry and interface boundary conditions, which constitute the reservoir wettability. To date limited information has been published regarding the role of wettability in the performance of foams as mobility control agent, accordingly more evaluation is needed.
展开▼
