Comprehensive investigation of low salinity waterflooding in carbonate reservoirs

Abstract Waterflooding has been practiced as a secondary recovery mechanism for many years with no regard to the composition of injected brine. However, in last decade, there an interest understand impact water and low salinity waterflooding (LSWF) oil recovery. LSWF investigated through various laboratory tests promising method improving carbonate reservoirs. These experiments showed diverse mechanisms results. In this study, comprehensive review analysis results more than 300 core flood from published work were performed investigate effects several parameters (injected water, oil, rock properties along temperature) on rock. The that is key parameter successful (WF) projects rocks. value seems have negligible effect both tertiary stages. study indicated optimum can improve up 30% original place. addition, investigation changing high lead incremental 18% stage. It was evident applying stage effective it Furthermore, stages studied using Fractional Factorial Design. revealed concentrations Mg 2+ , Na + K Cl − are greatest influence most dominant minerals concentration HCO 3 SO 4 2− water. appears anhydrite percentage reservoirs may be WF. Also, clear relations between (total acid number or total base number) all ranges flooding temperatures. findings help establish guidelines screening designing WF