Relevance of zeta potential as a tool for predicting the response of controlled salinity waterflooding in oil–water-carbonate systems

Zeta potential has been proposed as a key parameter for predicting the response of controlled salinity waterflooding, correlation with additional oil recovery previously established. However, it is unclear if there causal effect and this can be used unique predictive tool. We provide new insights detailed investigation into role change polarities oil/water/rock interfaces on recovery. Core flooding experiments streaming electrophoretic mobility measurements were performed to obtain electrostatic interactions that occur during Estaillades rock. Two different injection scenarios followed in one crude oil/brine/rock (COBR) system: conventional decreasing inverse increasing salinity. Results indicated secondary mode was more important using formation brine compared low brine. Also, almost no observed tertiary irrespective scenario. Rock/water zeta found positive brine, negative brines. The determination oil/water polarity difficult many inconsistencies between observed. propose several explanations these discrepancies, including difference at fully water saturation residual not necessarily dependent induced by rock exposed surface distribution flow paths measurements. overall results suggest cannot indicator predict COBR system.