Influence of Injection Rate and Oil Viscosity on Viscous Fingering – Simulation Prediction

Abstract

Waterflooding is a secondary oil recovery process that commonly utilized. However, there are several factors affecting the efficiency of water-flooding. Current research focused on the effects of injection rate and oil viscosity on the waterflooding efficiency. Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) is utilized to predict the effect of the injection rate and oil viscosity towards waterflooding. Volume of fluid (VOF) and Realizable k- ɛ models are utilized in this research. Ergun’s equation also utilized in this research for estimation of permeability and inertial loss within the porous medium. The research found viscous fingering occurred when the mobility ratio is more than unity and instability number, Ni > 1000. The phenomenon of viscous fingering is directly affected by injection rate and viscosity ratio. The phenomenon directly affects directly sweep efficiency during waterflooding process thus affecting oil recovery process. The research found as injection rate and viscosity ratio increase; viscous fingering predominantly seen within the porous medium.