Improved Oil Recovery Application in Limestone Reservoirs Using Alkaline Solutions

Abstract

In this research, the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (NaSiO₄) solutions for the improved oil recovery of Raman crude oil was investigated using a one-dimensional unconsolidated limestone reservoir model. The results of displacement tests showed that sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (NaSiO₄) solutions were not effective on incremental oil recovery. It was also observed that injection flow rate of alkaline solution has minimum effect on Raman crude oil in scope of oil recovery achieved. The optimum injection flow rate was found as 220 cc/h for Raman crude oil.

Keywords:

• alkaline solution
• crude oil
• formation damage
• oil recovery