Towards Identifying the Mechanisms of the Modified-Salinity Waterflooding by a Novel Combination of Core flooding and Mathematical Modeling

A novel approach to understanding modified-salinity waterflooding in carbonates, particularly in outcrop chalk like Stevns Klint, reveals that wettability changes driven by the adsorption of potential determining ions (PDIs), such as calcium, are critical to oil breakthrough times. Unlike traditional models focusing solely on recovery factors and pressure drops, this study prioritizes matching ion concentrations and oil breakthrough timings, identifying PDI adsorption as a key mechanism. By combining core flooding experiments with advanced mathematical modeling and optimization algorithms, researchers demonstrated that lower salinity brines can also induce wettability changes independently of ionic adsorption. While the approach remains semi-empirical, it provides a foundation for future fundamental studies to unravel the precise mechanisms underlying these processes.

Taheri, M., Bonto, M., Eftekhari, A. A., & M. Nick, H. (2019). Towards Identifying the Mechanisms of the Modified-Salinity Waterflooding by a Novel Combination of Core flooding and Mathematical Modeling. SPE Middle East Oil and Gas Show and Conference. https://doi.org/10.2118/195110-ms