Geochemical Model Validation for Smart Water Flooding in Carbonates: Investigating Asphaltene Content of Oil

In this study, we aim to evaluate the results of the developed geochemical model with experimental findings to enhance our understanding and validate the model's predictive capabilities. Three types of oil samples with various asphaltene content were employed to achieve this goal: crude oil, deasphalted oil, and asphaltene-enriched toluene. The experimented core was flooded with five types of brines: seawater, various diluted seawater with twice sulfate concentration(2SO4), four times sulfate concentration(4SO4), four times calcium concentration(4Ca), and four times magnesium concentration(4Mg). Oil and brine properties were imported into the model, and then it was run to obtain results. the geochemical code estimates the zeta potential and disjoining pressure of each system. These results were then compared with the recovery factor from coreflooding and contact angle measurements. The model consistently aligns with experimental findings, indicating its reliability and robustness. For instance, the varying trend of the model results is consistent with changes in contact angle and recovery factor measurements. As a result, it serves as a valuable tool for determining the optimal flooding brine composition for producing a specific type of oil from carbonate reservoirs.