Utilization mechanism of foam flooding and distribution situation of residual oil in fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs

• Published in: Petroleum science Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 1620 - 1639
• Main Authors: Wen, Yu-Chen, Hou, Ji-Rui, Xiao, Xiao-Li, Li, Chang-Ming, Qu, Ming, Zhao, Ya-Jie, Zhong, Wei-Xin, Liang, Tuo, Wu, Wei-Peng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2023
• Subjects: Enhanced oil recovery (EOR); Foam flooding; Fractured-vuggy reservoirs; Physical model; Residual oil; Residual oil; Enhanced oil recovery (EOR); Foam flooding; Physical model; Fractured-vuggy reservoirs
• ISSN: 1995-8226; 1995-8226
• DOI: 10.1016/j.petsci.2022.11.020

The development of fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs is extremely difficult because of the complex fractured-vuggy structure and strong heterogeneity. Foam flooding is a potential enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology in fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs. Based on the similarity criterion, three types of 2D visual physical models of the fractured-vuggy structure were made by laser ablation technique, and a 3D visual physical model of the fractured-vuggy reservoir was made by 3D printing technology. Then the physical analog experiments of foam flooding were carried out in these models. The experimental results show that foam can effectively improve the mobility ratio, control the flow velocity of the fluid in different directions, and sweep complex fracture networks. The effect of foam flooding in fractures can be improved by increasing foam strength and enhancing foam stability. The effect of foam flooding in vugs can be improved by reducing the density of the foam and the interfacial tension between foam and oil. Three types of microscopic residual oil and three types of macroscopic residual oil can be displaced by foam flooding. This study verifies the EOR of foam flooding in the fractured-vuggy reservoir and provides theoretical support for the application of foam flooding in fractured-vuggy reservoirs.