Fluid-based approach to productive formation characterization via monitoring studies of reservoir fluid physical and chemical properties

UDK: 622.276.6

DOI: 10.24887/0028-2448-2026-7-38-41

Key words: chemical enhanced oil recovery methods, monitoring studies, interfacial tension, double electric layer, ionic composition, electric conductivity

Authors: E.N. Yakupova (TatNIPIneft, RF, Almetyevsk); N.А. Nazimov (TATNEFT PJSC, RF, Almetyevsk); М.R. Khisametdinov (TatNIPIneft, RF, Almetyevsk); R.R. Akhmetzyanova (TatNIPIneft, RF, Almetyevsk)

The expanding application of chemical enhanced oil recovery methods necessitates deployment of rapid, informative monitoring techniques capable of evaluating fluid flow processes and the physical-chemical interactions within the reservoir – fluid – agent system. Conventional approaches (hydrodynamic, geophysical, tracer methods) either lack sensitivity to chemical changes or require considerable expenditures coupled with time-consuming data interpretation. Well testing provides integral flow characteristics, but does not reveal the nature of interfacial phenomena. Tracer well surveys are complicated due to sorption and dispersion of tracer agents. This paper proposes a procedure for productive formation characterization based on physical and chemical properties monitoring of both the reservoir and the injected fluids. The procedure is based on the concept that such parameters as pH, electrical conductivity, ionic composition, and interfacial tension represent an integral response to the processes of mixing, flow, and interphase interaction within the formation. Monitoring can be performed in a background mode without the physical-chemical treatment, and variation of the monitored parameters will reflect changes in the natural composition of the produced fluids. Systematic analysis of variations of the above-mentioned parameters in the produced fluids in case of physical-chemical treatment enables assessment of the agent slug propagation dynamics, identification of breakthrough zones, and adjustment of treatment intensity, thereby controlling the reservoir sweep. This physical-chemical monitoring, combined with geochemical modeling and tracer surveys, improves the information content of field data and provides a basis for real-time optimization of chemical flooding strategies. The proposed approach ensures continuous data acquisition and early detection of undesirable geochemical reactions.

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