SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering
Volume 15,
Number 2,
April 2012,
pp. 218-228
Summary
Our objective was to study foam flow in fractured, oil-wet carbonate rocks
and determine if foam may be a viable enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) agent in such
reservoirs. We present experimental results in fractured carbonate rock and
show effects of wettability on oil recovery when using foam. Oil recovery by
water, surfactant, or gas injection exhibited low recovery, less than 10% of
original oil in place (OOIP). Oil recovery during injection of pregenerated
foam was improved significantly, with up to 78% of OOIP produced. Foam reduced
the gas mobility in the fractured rock, increased differential pressure, and
diverted flow into the oil-saturated matrix. However, a significant amount of
foam injection was required for the additional oil recovery. Generation of foam
in-situ was weak in the smooth-walled fractures, and no fluid diversion from
the fractures with additional oil recovery was observed. On the basis of the
experimental results, mechanisms for foam collapse in the fracture are
discussed and possible steps to improve recovery are outlined.
© 2012. Society of Petroleum Engineers
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History
- Original manuscript received:
26 May 2010
- Meeting paper published:
25 April 2010
- Revised manuscript received:
20 May 2011
- Manuscript approved:
16 December 2011
- Published online:
12 March 2012
- Version of record:
3 April 2012
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