EEOR in Carbonate Reservoirs - Electrokinetics for Petroleum and Environmental Engineers - page 164

of power consumption of approximately 18% will be required which can be
reduced by optimizing certain parameters when up-scaling future experi-
ments currently being conducted at the PI-EKRC.
Smart EOR utilizes nanotechnology together with EOR. Nanotechnology
and surfactant-flooding introduces catalysts into the formation to modify
surface properties of the reservoir rock. EK Direct Current activates the
catalytic activity. EK Direct Current is used as a driving force to transport
oil, water and nanoparticles/surfactant in the formation.
SMART EOR:

• Reduces IFT
• Reduces adsorption capacity of injected fluid on surface of
carbonate reservoir rock
• Effectively uses EK driving force to guide low concentration
acid nanoparticles, surfactants through the tortuous path
with the smaller conduits in carbonate reservoirs.
• Alters wettability
• Increases permeability
• Increase displacement efficiency

• Targets the unswept oil by increasing depth of penetration of

acid/nano/surfactant injected solution

Ansari et al. (2012) showed that the application of waterflooding on the
carbonate cores of Abu Dhabi yields displacement efficiency of 46-60%,
with additional 8-14% incremental displacement efficiency upon applica-
tion of EK. Also, an additional 8-20% displacement efficiency was achieved
by the application of EK-assisted surfactant flooding (e.g., see figure 4.7).
SMART EOR using EK simultaneous surfactant flooding generated
better results by reaching a maximum displacement efficiency of 87% due
to the precise targeted transport of surfactant through the micro-pores
towards the cathode (producer) when compared to EK sequential surfac-
tant flooding displacement efficiency of 76%. In addition to this, there was
also a 200% reduction in required injected pore volume during application
of SMART EOR using EK simultaneous surfactant flooding when com-
pared to EK sequential surfactant flooding.
Therefore, EK-assisted simultaneous surfactant flooding achieved an
early displacement efficiency plateau providing potentially increased envi-
ronmental and economic feasibility. As a result, it can be summarized that
EK-assisted simultaneous flooding enhances displacement efficiency by
6%, with an increased power consumption of 18%, and reduced water/sur-
factant consumption by 76%.