Dynamical network modeling of residual oil distribution with particle surface tension after nano/microsized polymer particles solution flooding

ABSTRACT

Nano/mircrosized polymer particle (NMPP) is a newly developed displacement agent in tertiary oil recovery. Based on the Naiver–Stokes theory, a mathematical model of NMPP solution with surface tension at the pore scale is established. Furthermore, the NMPP flooding process in porous media is simulated through a dynamic network model with different parameters. The results show that the proportion of residual oil saturation is remarkably affected by the particle radius (18.6%), followed by throat radius and solution concentration. Additionally, the proportion variation of sheet-like shape residual oil is approximately 20%, which is severely affected in different types of residual oil, implying the presence of a plugging effect.

KEYWORDS:

• Nano/microsized polymer particle
• surface tension
• deformation
• dynamic network model
• residual oil

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Nos. 50934003 and 11372033].

Notes on contributors

Weiyao Zhu

Weiyao Zhu, male, born in 1960, professor, mainly engaged in the development of oil and gas field.

Yajing Liu

Yajing Liu, female, born in 1988, PhD candidate, mainly engaged in reservoir numerical simulation.

Bingbing Li

Bingbing Li, male, born in 1988, PhD candidate, mainly engaged in tertiary oil recovery technology.

Qingjun Deng

Qingjun Deng, male, born in 1972, senior engineer, mainly engaged in oilfield development work.

Lianzhi Yang

Lianzhi Yang, female, born in 1982, professor, mainly engaged in theoretical analysis of mechanics.

Yazhen Wang

Yazhen Wang, male, born in 1993, master candidate, mainly engaged in microforce research.