Viscosity Measurements of Different Fluids Used for Mobility Control in Mature Reservoirs

Abstract

In the oil industry, it is important to increase the mobility of hydrocarbon fluids (oil and/or gas) and decrease the mobility of water. Doing so results in an increase in oil production and a decrease in unwanted water production. Polymers have been widely used to increase water viscosity, causing a decrease in water mobility. Surfactants have been used to change reservoir wettability and to clean the rock surface. The use of surfactants changes the formation wettability from oil wet to water wet. This results in an increase in oil production from various water wet sandstone and carbonate formations. Low water salinity has also been used to enhance oil recovery. The mobility of the oil should be more than the mobility of the water to ensure maximum extraction efficiency. As a result, viscosity measurements are very important in determining the impact of a viscous fluid in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). We measured the viscosity of mixed fluids used in the oil industry such as brines of varying concentration (Sodium Chloride and Calcium Chloride solutions) and various polymer solutions at different temperatures.