Influence of injection of thermogel on oil displacement by waterflooding

Resumo

The article describes physical simulation and mathematical modeling of influence exerted by injection of thermogel on configuration of water flow in water flood recovery. Recovery of oil, especially viscous oil, with such method features unstable displacement front and formation of water fingers that eventually turn into a net of water channels directed toward the lowest flow coefficient between wells. Most of oil remains immobile and is in dynamic equilibrium with the displacement water flow. The authors show that injection of thermogel in a reservoir between wells expands displacement front at the late stage of mining, which allows enhancement of oil recovery factor.