May 17, 2025
GeoEurasia 2025
The conference presented a new microfluidic method for measuring interfacial tension (IFT) and demonstrated its results for assessing oil displacement efficiency in low-permeability reservoirs.
The proposed approach uses a microchip with conical channels in which the liquid meniscus is approximated by a cylindrical surface. IFT values between the oil phase and various gas components are calculated using the Laplace equation. This scheme yields high-accuracy data and significantly shortens lab testing time compared with traditional methods.
The proposed approach uses a microchip with conical channels in which the liquid meniscus is approximated by a cylindrical surface. IFT values between the oil phase and various gas components are calculated using the Laplace equation. This scheme yields high-accuracy data and significantly shortens lab testing time compared with traditional methods.
In the experiment, IFT dropped from 16.95 mN/m to 6.34 mN/m, increasing the oil displacement coefficient by 7%. Associated petroleum gas injection performed especially well, reaching a maximum displacement coefficient of 66%.
The proposed method not only speeds up lab studies but also improves the accuracy of interfacial-tension calculations. This opens new opportunities for optimizing gas injection into low-permeability reservoirs, where successful oil displacement depends directly on lowering IFT to minimal values.
The results form the basis for further pilot projects at fields where conventional enhanced-oil-recovery methods are ineffective.
The results form the basis for further pilot projects at fields where conventional enhanced-oil-recovery methods are ineffective.
