Network modeling of residual oil displacement after polymer flooding

Research on microscopic flow mechanisms can aid in improving oil recovery after polymer flooding. Based on a two-phase water-oil network model, a simulation model for polymer flooding is proposed that considers various percolation mechanisms of the polymer solution, such as thickening, diffusion, adsorption, entrapment and shear degradation. Thus, the pore structure and the theological fluid properties can be integrated. This network model can provide an effective tool for the study of residual oil displacement after polymer flooding. The distribution laws for residual oil after polymer flooding were studied using this microscopic simulation. Results show that compared to water flooding, polymer flooding can greatly improve oil recovery. Moreover, the residual oil distribution after polymer flooding tends to be more disperse, complex and variable. At the same time, displacement methods and parameters of the residual oil were investigated. Methods such as increasing the viscosity of the injection fluid can be applied, but the viscosity must be very high. Injection of a slug of displacing liquid with low interfacial tension after polymer flooding can decrease irreducible oil saturation and improve the displacement efficiency, but the interfacial tension needs to be extremely low. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.