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Experimental Investigation of Microscopic Mechanisms of Surfactant-Enhanced Spontaneous Imbibition in Shale Cores

Experimental Investigation of Microscopic Mechanisms of Surfactant-Enhanced Spontaneous Imbibition in Shale Cores

Authors :
James J. Sheng
Weihan Huang
Junrong Liu
Source :
Energy & Fuels. 33:7188-7199
Publication Year :
2019
Publisher :
American Chemical Society (ACS), 2019.

Abstract

Adding surfactants in fracturing fluids is a practical method for enhancing spontaneous imbibition of shale oil reservoirs. However, both positive and negative observations are found in the field practice. The mechanisms of different types of surfactants for enhancing spontaneous imbibition still need further investigation. In this work, we applied the nuclear magnetic resonance technique to measure the fluid distributions in shale pores during the spontaneous imbibition process. We found that surfactants mainly recover oil in the macropores but have less impact on the production of oil in the micropores. Combining with scanning electron microscopy, high-pressure mercury intrusion, and X-ray diffraction experiments, the pore structure and mineral composition of shales are carefully analyzed. We observed that the surfaces of large pores are mostly quartz and feldspars, while the surfaces of small pores are organic matter and clay. The wettability of a shale rock is a key factor affecting spontaneous imbibi...

Details

ISSN :
15205029 and 08870624
Volume :
33
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Energy & Fuels
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........b450dda178c6f7b8bc3bc61dc327bac1
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.9b01324