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The Characteristics of Oil Migration due to Water Imbibition in Tight Oil Reservoirs

Author

Listed:
  • Liu Yang

    (State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China)

  • Shuo Wang

    (State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China)

  • Zhigang Tao

    (State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China)

  • Ruixi Leng

    (China Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Xinjiang Oilfield Company, PetroChina, Xinjiang 834000, China)

  • Jun Yang

    (State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

In tight oil reservoirs, water imbibition is the key mechanism to improve oil production during shut-in operations. However, the complex microstructure and composition of minerals complicate the interpretation of oil migration during water imbibition. In this study, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) T 2 spectra was used to monitor the oil migration dynamics in tight oil reservoirs. The factors influencing pore size distribution, micro-fractures, and clay minerals were systematically investigated. The results show that the small pores corresponded to a larger capillary pressure and a stronger imbibition capacity, expelling the oil into the large pores. The small pores had a more effective oil recovery than the large pores. As the soaking time increases, the water preferentially entered the natural micro-fractures, expelling the oil in the micro-fractures. Subsequently, the oil in the small pores was slowly expelled. Compared with the matrix pores, natural micro-fractures had a smaller flow resistance and were more conducive to water and oil flow. Clay minerals may have induced micro-fracture propagation, which can act as the oil migration channels during water imbibition. In contrary to the inhibitory effect of natural micro-fractures, the new micro-fractures could contribute to the oil migration from small pores into large pores. This study characterized the oil migration characteristics and provides new insight into tight oil production.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu Yang & Shuo Wang & Zhigang Tao & Ruixi Leng & Jun Yang, 2019. "The Characteristics of Oil Migration due to Water Imbibition in Tight Oil Reservoirs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:21:p:4199-:d:283271
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    Cited by:

    1. Reza Rezaee, 2022. "Editorial on Special Issues of Development of Unconventional Reservoirs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-9, April.

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