Influence of Layer Charge and Modifier on Wettability of Organo-Montmorillonite

Abstract

To study the influence of layer charge and modifier on wettability plays an important role on the diagnosis of oil reservoir. In this paper, two quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) with different chain-length were used singularly or in compound form to modify the reduced-charge montmorillonites (RCMs). The wettability alterations of the organo-RCMs for deionized water and cyclohexane were studied based on capillary rise method. The results showed that RCMs singularly modified by QASs show different wettability characteristics. Moreover, there is a synergistic effect on the wettability when the RCMs are compound modified by two QASs and the organo-RCMs turn to more hydrophilic. The results of this work also indicated that it is possible to regulate the wettability of the RCMs by choosing different recipe of QASs, which is helpful to provide theoretical guidance for the oil production.