Fluorocarbon Interfacial Modifier: Wettability Alteration in Reservoir Rocks for Enhanced Oil Recovery and Field Application
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The peripheral reservoirs of the Daqing Oilfield exhibit low permeability and partial heterogeneity, resulting in a rapid injection pressure increase, limited sweep efficiency, and significant residual oil retention. To enhance recovery, this study synthesized a fluorocarbon siloxane (FHB) via free radical addition for rock surface wettability modification. At a concentration of 0.1 wt%, FHB increased water and oil contact angles to 136° and 117°, respectively, at 60 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and aging tests confirmed stable hydrophobic/oleophobic properties through chemical bonding to the rock. Furthermore, the low surface energy FHB significantly reduced adhesion work and decreased oil-water interfacial tension from 27 mN/m to 0.55 mN/m, thereby improving fluid transport in pore throats and promoting residual oil mobilization. Core flooding experiments resulted in an increase in total recovery by 11%, with low-field NMR analysis confirming reduced oil saturation across various pore sizes. A field trial in a production well in Daqing Oilfield successfully increased output from 3.1 t/d to 4.9 t/d, validating the efficacy of this strategy under real reservoir conditions—representing the first successful field application of a fluorocarbon-based modifier for wettability alteration and oil production enhancement in China. This study provides valuable experimental data and a practical framework for implementing chemical-enhanced recovery.
Source: Energies
DOI: 10.3390/en18205463
Authors: Ruiyang Liu, Huabin Li, Zhe Li, Xudong Yu, Lide He, Xutong Guo, Feng Zhao, Huaqiang Shi, Wenzhao Sun
Language: English
Subfield: Ocean Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4415302144