Gas Wettability of Reservoir Rock Surfaces with Porous Media

Gas Wettability of Reservoir Rock Surfaces with Porous Media

Jiang Guancheng

College of Petroleum Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), People’s Republic of China

Science Press Beijing

Table of Contents

Cover image

Title page

Copyright

Preface

Introduction

References

Chapter 1. Concept of Gas Wettability and Research Status

Abstract

1.1 Introduction to Gas Wettability

1.2 Research Status of Gas Wettability in China and Overseas

1.3 Concept and Definition of Gas Wettability

References

Chapter 2. Evaluation Methods and Influencing Factors of Gas Wettability

Abstract

2.1 Traditional Wettability Evaluation Methods

2.2 Evaluating Gas Wettability Using Traditional Methods

2.3 Establishing Gas Wettability Evaluation Method

2.4 Factors Influencing Gas Wettability

References

Further Reading

Chapter 3. Gas-wetting Alteration Agent and Gas-wetting Alteration Mechanism

Abstract

3.1 Gas-wetting Alteration Agent—Fluorocarbon Surfactant

3.2 Polymer Gas-wetting Alteration Agent

3.3 Mechanism of Core Gas Wettability Alteration

References

Chapter 4. Effect of Gas Wettability on the Surface Properties of Rocks

Abstract

4.1 Gas Adsorption Capability of Rocks

4.2 Expansion and Dispersion Characteristic of Clay Mineral

4.3 Conductivity of Rocks

4.4 Imbibition Process of Rocks

References

Further Reading

Chapter 5. Effect of Gas Wettability on Capillaries and Oil, Gas, and Water Distribution and Seepage

Abstract

5.1 Gas Wettability of Single-straight Capillary

5.2 Gas Wettability of Etched Glass Network Models

5.3 Gas Wettability of Cores

References

Chapter 6. Application of Gas Wettability in Petroleum Engineering

Abstract

6.1 New Drilling Fluid Technology That Changes the Property of Rock Surfaces to Protect Low and Extra-Low-Permeability Reservoirs

6.2 Drilling Fluid Cuttings Carrying Technology

6.3 Trapezoid Protection Water-injection Technology for Low-Permeability and Extra-Low-Permeability Reservoirs

6.4 Microemulsion Oil Removal Technology

References

Index

Copyright

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Preface

Wettability is an important component of colloid and interface chemistry, and rock surface wettability plays an important role in petroleum engineering and petrophysics. Rock wettability research in petroleum engineering mainly aims at studying effects of water or oil phase (all liquid phases) on rock surfaces. Rock wettability is divided into three types: oil-wet, water-wet, and mixed-wet; whereas, effect of gas phase on rock surfaces and its influence on wettability are neglected. Currently, there are many papers and works on researching solid-liquid two-phase wettability, which discuss wettability’s influence on oil-water distribution, injection efficiency, and oil and gas reservoir recovery efficiency from different aspects. However, many gases with different characteristics exist in oil and gas reservoirs (especially natural gas and condensate reservoirs), which significantly impact results. Recent studies on their effect have raised concerns among oil-gas field development. This book considers gas phase’s existence, its effect on rock surface and influence on rock wettability, and summarizes this significant effect and influence to a special kind of oil and gas reservoir rock wettability, called gas wettability.

From the time gas wettability was first proposed in 2000, some scholars in China and overseas have studied the application of gas wettability in enhancing oil recovery and water shutoff, and have obtained many important results. However, none of the researchers or research teams systematically studied gas wettability. There is almost negligible research on scientific implications, evaluation methods, reversal mechanism, and reversal materials, and there are few studies on gas wettability’s effect on oil and gas reservoir rock properties.

Establishing wettability theory for oil and gas reservoir rock surfaces’ porous medium is highly important for exploring and developing China’s remaining oil and gas resources. With sustained and rapid development of China’s economy and improvement in people’s living standards, total energy consumption has greatly increased and consumption structure has tremendously changed. Conventional oil and gas resources can no longer sufficiently meet national economic development requirements, and unconventional oil and gas resources, like shale gas, etc., are gradually supplementing conventional resources or becoming alternative energy sources. Oil and gas reservoir surface wettability, such as gas wettability, will have a tremendous effect on oil and gas production while exploring and developing unconventional oil and gas resources. In order to explore economically and efficiently and develop remaining oil and gas resources, it is necessary to establish a theoretical basis for wettability of oil and gas reservoir rock surface porous medium, and develop new drilling and exploration technologies.

This book presents theoretical basis for wettability of oil and gas reservoir rock surface porous medium and its application in petroleum engineering, mainly based on the Theoretical study of gas wettability of oil and gas reservoir porous medium project (Project No: 50925414), which was undertaken by Professor Jiang Guancheng, under the aegis of Natural Science Outstanding Youth Fund of the People's Republic of China. It partially utilizes information from the New drilling fluid technology that protects different permeability oil and gas reservoir project, a key science and technology subproject (Project No: 2009ZX05009-005, 2011ZX05009-005) undertaken by Professor Jiang Guancheng during the 11th five-year and 12th five-year plan period of the People's Republic of China; Drilling fluid technology for carrying drill cuttings and oil removal technology by oil cuttings, a key science and technology subproject (Project No.: 2011ZX05021-004) undertaken by Professor Jiang Guancheng during the 12th five-year plan period of the People's Republic of China; Trapezoidal protection technology for water-injection in oil and gas reservoirs with low permeability and extra-low permeability, a key science and technology subproject (Project No: 2008ZX05013-002), undertaken by Professor Jiang Guancheng during the 11th five-year plan period of the People's Republic of China; and New technology for harmless disposal of waste drilling fluid and resource reutilization, a Science and Technology Supporting Technology subproject of the People's Republic of China (Project No: 2008BAC43B02) undertaken by Professor Jiang Guancheng. The tentative application of this technology has illustrated certain advantages and realized zero damage to oil and gas reservoirs around the drilling shaft. It has improved protective effect for oil and gas reservoirs and single well daily oil production by 20%, compared to other commonly used drilling and completion fluids for protecting oil and gas reservoirs. Combining wettability reversal technology, water-blocking resistance technology, and film technology provides a new method to reduce damage to oil and gas reservoir with low permeability and extra-low permeability, caused by drilling and completion fluids. This work systemically summarizes basic theory and application of gas wettability and its specific application further to develop and improve China’s petroleum engineering and reservoir protection technology. However, theoretical basis for wettability of oil and gas reservoir porous medium is original research. Wettability’s application in petroleum engineering is not limited to drilling fluid technology for protecting oil and gas reservoir, drilling fluid technology for carrying drill cuttings, trapezoidal protection technology for water-injection oil and gas reservoirs with low permeability and extra-low permeability, and oil removal technology by oil cuttings mentioned in this book, it also has other applications, such as in reservoir numerical simulation technology. However, studies on these aspects still need further development. Publishing this work is aimed at fueling international interest in studying gas wettability theory of oil and gas reservoir porous medium, apply results to new methods and technologies in petroleum engineering research and development, improve gas wettability's basic theory, and expand petroleum engineering's core course content, including Petrophysics and Reservoir Engineering, towards efficiently exploring and developing shale gas, coal-bed gas, low permeability reservoir, heavy oil reservoir, deep water, and deep oil and gas reservoir.

This book is divided into 6 chapters.

Chapter 1, Concept of Gas Wettability and Research Status, presents basic gas wettability concept and research status, and is compiled by Jiang Guancheng from China University of Petroleum (Beijing).

Chapter 2, Evaluation Methods and Influencing Factors of Gas Wettability, elaborates gas wettability evaluation methods and factors affecting gas wettability, and is compiled by Jiang Guancheng and Zhang Min from China University of Petroleum (Beijing).

Chapter 3, Gas-wetting Alteration Agent and Gas-wetting Alteration Mechanism, introduces Gas-wetting alteration agent and gas wetting alteration mechanism and is compiled by Jiang Guancheng and Li Yingying from China University of Petroleum (Beijing), and Kong Ying and Fen Chunyan from China University of Petroleum (East China).

Chapter 4, Effect of Gas Wettability on the Surface Properties of Rocks, studies gas wettability effects on rock surface properties, and is compiled by Jiang Guancheng from China University of Petroleum (Beijing).

Chapter 5, Effect of Gas Wettability on Capillaries and Oil, Gas, and Water Distribution and Seepage, discusses gas wettability's influence on capillary force, oil-water distribution and seepage state in oil and gas reservoir rocks, and is compiled by Jiang Guancheng and Zhang Min from China University of Petroleum (Beijing).

Chapter 6, Application of Gas Wettability in Petroleum Engineering, introduces gas wettability's application in petroleum engineering, and is compiled by Jiang Guancheng and Zhang Shuo from China University of Petroleum (Beijing).

This book has been comprehensively reviewed by Professor Jiang Guancheng from China University of Petroleum (Beijing).

The results achieved in this book would not have been possible without the strong support and help from the Natural Science Foundation Committee of the People's Republic of China, Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, National Development and Reform Commission, China National Petroleum Corporation, China Petrochemical Corporation, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), China University of Petroleum (East China), as well as from major oil companies. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone. I would like to also thank my colleagues for their extensive research work on gas wettability of oil and gas reservoirs’ porous medium, and its application in petroleum engineering.

Furthermore, I'd like to express my gratitude to many renowned scholars such as Academician Luo Pingya and Academician Su Yinao from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Professor Yan Jienian from China University of Petroleum (Beijing) for their valuable suggestions and opinions.

There are bound to be irregularities and mistakes due to limitations in knowledge and data. Your criticism and advice are welcome.

The Author

December 3, 2016

Introduction

Surface wettability of reservoir rocks with porous media is a key factor in controlling fluid flow and distribution in porous media. It is as important as porosity, permeability, pore structure, and fluid saturation, and is a key characteristic of fluid found in reservoir rocks [1]. Buckley [2] was the first to recognize that wettability had a significant impact on water displacement effect, in 1942. Subsequent research over the century related to surface wettability of reservoir rocks show that wettability of reservoir rocks has a certain influence on core property analysis, including capillary pressure, relative permeability, water drive dynamics, electrical properties, adsorption, cation exchange capacity, Zeta potential, expansion, and dispersion, tertiary recovery factor, irreducible water saturation, and residual oil saturation [3–13].

In general, wettability refers to a liquid’s tendency to extend or adhere to a solid surface in the presence of an immiscible fluid. In other words, it refers to the phenomenon of a liquid flowing along a solid surface under molecular force [1].

In discussing wettability, the study object is a three-phase system of immiscible solid phase, liquid phase, gas phase, or another liquid phase. Wetting (fluid) and nonwetting phases (other fluid) in two kinds of liquids are always present, relative to solid phase’s surface. The phase that can spread along a solid surface is called wetting phase (fluid), while the other phase is called nonwetting phase (other fluid). In most cases, gas phase is nonwetting phase. For example, in a water-air-glass system where water can spread on the glass surface, water is a wetting phase while air is nonwetting phase; that is, water Preferential wets glass surface. Under special conditions, gas phase can also be a wetting phase. For example, in a mercury-air-glass system where mercury cannot spread on a glass surface, mercury is a nonwetting phase while air is a wetting phase. In this case, air selectively wets the glass surface.

Whether a solid can be wetted by a liquid is always relative to the other gas or liquid phase. If a phase can wet solid phase, the other phase cannot wet solid phase.

We place a bubble, using a dropper, at the bottom of the solid in a liquid, as shown in are equal to 180°.

Figure 1 Relationship between liquid and gas wettability. (A) the liquid selectively wets the solid; (B) the gas selectively wets the solid.

Zhou Zukang [14] and other scholars named the phenomenon of selective wetting of solid by gas as wettability of solid by gas, which is the opposite of wettability of solid by liquid. He believes that with higher lyophobic characteristics, the solid is more easily wetted by gas, and bubbles become attached to the solid surface more easily. On the other hand, with more lyophilic characteristics, liquid wets the solid more easily, and bubbles adhere to the solid surface with greater difficulty.

In 2000, Li Kewen and Firoozabadi [15] first considered reservoir rocks with porous media as the study object for this special wetting phenomenon of reservoir rock surfaces, and named the phenomenon of gas selectively wetting reservoir rocks as gas wettability on the surface of reservoirs rocks. They believed that gas wettability reversal can reduce formation damage during drilling, improve acid fracturing effect, and raise low permeability gas reservoirs and condensate reservoirs’ production.

Subsequently, Chinese and international interfacial chemical researchers in the oil industry have successively carried out several studies on enhancing oil recovery efficiency through gas wettability reversal, and have achieved many important research results. However, there are few studies on gas wettability reversal mechanism and control method on surface of reservoir rocks with porous media, influence of gas wettability on rock properties, influence of gas-wetness on oil-gas-water distribution, and evaluation method and standard of gas-wetness, and there is no established basic theory on gas wettability of reservoir rocks. As the pace of unconventional oil and gas resource exploration and development accelerates all over the world, there is a need for new established theories to guide research and development on new drilling technology. This means that there is need for deeper and more systematic research on gas wettability, and there should be a basic theoretical system of gas wettability to prepare a theoretical foundation for improving oil and gas recovery efficiency.

Therefore, this book considers reservoirs with porous media as the study object, and systematically provides definitions, evaluation methods, reversal materials, and reversal mechanisms, effects on properties of reservoir rocks with porous media, and oil-gas-water distribution and application in petroleum engineering, in response to the special phenomena of gas wettability.

First, as the basic concept of gas wettability, it is defined as the ability of gas to cover solid surfaces with greater preference than liquids that are immiscible with gas in a gas/liquid/solid system. Based on this, rough microstructures and low-surface energy materials can be modified and combined through sol-gel method, to produce rock samples for indoor theoretical study.

Second, in terms of the gas wettability evaluation method, there are two kinds of quantitative methods to evaluate gas wettability on a reservoir surface, based on the particularity of gas wettability: sessile drop method and bubble trap method. Each method has its own features and availability. The former can reflect gas wettability strength based on the liquid phase’s wetting ability, while the latter can directly evaluate gas wettability strength of solid interface by bubble shapes. Both can effectively provide quantitative gas wettability evaluation based on contact angle measurement and capillary rise test.

Third, in terms of reversal mechanism and gas wettability method, there are two types of gas-wetting reversal materials, including fluorocarbon polymer and fluorocarbon surfactant. By researching adsorption film properties on rock surface of gas-wetting reversal material, gas-wetting reversal material’s action mechanism is revealed. Thus, control method for gas wetting phase is established and there is further discussion on suitable environment for adopting the method.

Fourth, in terms gas-wetting rocks’ surface properties, surface chemical characteristics, electrical properties, interfacial vibrancy, and interfacial forces, as well as permeability law and distribution of oil, gas, and water affected by gas wettability are described.

Finally, the book introduces four practical petroleum engineering techniques: the drilling fluid technology of protect reservoir by changing rock surface properties in low permeability reservoir, the drilling fluid technology of carrying drilling cuttings thoroughly, trapezoidal protection technology for low and ultra-low permeability infiltration reservoir, and oil removal technology with drilling cuttings containing oil.

This book’s main contents include research results (Project Name: Research on basic theory of gas wettability of porous media reservoirs) achieved by Natural Science Fund Project for Distinguished Young Scholars of China (a top-ranking project for basic theoretical research in China), which Professor Jiang Guancheng heads. At the same time, some of these have been incorporated into research achievements of Key Scientific and Technological Projects, handled by Professor Jiang Guancheng during China’s Eleventh Five-Year Plan and Twelfth Five-Year Plan.

The Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, National Development and Reform Commission of China, China National Petroleum Corporation, China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), China University of Petroleum (East China), as well as major oil companies in China have extended their help and support toward these achievements. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your hard work and dedication on research on gas wettability of porous media reservoirs and gas wettability’s application in petroleum engineering. We sincerely thank all of you for your excellent contribution towards this book’s publication.

In addition, we wish to extend our gratitude toward famous scholars such as Luo Pingya and Su Yinao, who are academicians at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Professor Yan Jienian, for their valuable comments on the manuscript.

Finally, we wish to state that there are bound to be oversights and omissions due to unexpected reasons. We would be grateful to receive comments and criticism from readers regarding this book. At the same time, as theoretical basis for gas wettability of reservoirs with porous media belongs to a new research direction, gas wettability’s application in petroleum engineering should not be limited to the four aspects stated in this book. Research on application in other aspects needs to be studied further by domestic and international counterparts. This book’s publication aims to set off an upsurge in theoretical research on gas wettability of porous media reservoirs, and application of theoretical research results toward conducting research and development for several new technologies in the petroleum engineering field. Gas-wetness theory is gradually improving, and professional core course content on oil engineering Petrophysics and Reservoir Engineering at colleges and universities are being enhanced, and it is contributing to efficient exploration and development of shale gas, coalbed methane, low permeability reservoirs, heavy oil reservoirs, and deep water and deep reservoirs.

References

1. He Gengsheng. Petrophysics. Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press; 1994.

2. Buckley SE, Leverett MC. Mechanism of fluid displacement in sands. Trans., AIME. 1942;146:107.

3. E.E. Morris, D.R. Wieland: A Microscopic Study of the Effect of Variable Wettability Conditions on Immiscible Fluid Displacement, paper SPE 704 presented at the 1963 Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, 6–9 October.

4. E.C. Donaldson, R.D. Thomas:Microscopic Observations of Oil Displacement Water-Wet and Oil-Wet Systems, paper SPE 3555 presented at the 1971 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, 3–6 October.

5. J.L. Menezes, J. Yan, M.M. Sharma: The Mechanism of Wettability Alteration Due To Surfactants in Oil-Based Muds, paper SPE 18460 presented at the 1989 SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry, Houston, 8–10 February.

6. P.J. Cockcroft, D.R. Guise, I.D. Waworuntu: The Effect of Wettability on Estimation of Reserves, paper SPE 19484 presented at the 1989 SPE Asia-Pacific Conference, Sydney, 13–15 September.

7. D. Jia, J.S. Buckley, N.R. Morrow: Control of Core Wettability with Crude Oil, paper SPE 21041 presented at the 1991 SPE Intl. Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry, Anaheim, California, 20–22 February.

8. J.S. Buckley, C. Bousseau, Y. Liu: Wetting Alteration by Brine and Crude Oil: From Contact Angles to Cores, paper SPE 30765 presented at the 1995 Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, 22–25 October.

9. O.R. Wagner, R.O. Leach: Improving Oil Displacement Efficiency by Wettability Adjustment, paper SPE 1101-G presented at the 1958 Annual Meeting, Houston, 5–8 October.

10. Froning HR, Leach RO. Determination of chemical requirements and applicability of wettability alteration flooding. JPT June 1967;839 Trans., AIME, 240.

11. K.I.S. Kamath: A Fresh Look at Wettability Detergent Flooding and Secondary Recovery Mechanisms, paper SPE 2862 presented at the 1970 SPE Biennial Production Techniques Symposium, Wichita Falls, Texas, 14–15 May.

12. Morrow NR, Cram PJ, McCaffery FG. Displacement studies in dolomite with wettability control by octanoic acid. SPEJ August 1973;221.

13. G.S. Penny, M.Y. Soliman, J.E. Briscoe: Enhanced Load Water-Recovery Technique Improves Stimulation Results, paper SPE 12149 presented at the 1983 Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Francisco, 5–8 October.

14. Zukang Z, Tiiren G, Jiming M. Colloid Chemistry Basics Beijing: Peking University Press; 1987;128–129.

15. Li K, Firoozabadi A. Phenomenological modeling of critical condensate saturation and relative permeabilities in gas condensate systems. Paper SPE56014 SPE J. June 2000;5(2):138–147.

Chapter 1

Concept of Gas Wettability and Research Status

Abstract

Expound the preferential wettability of liquid on the solid surface in details and the factors and laws influencing wettability of reservoir rocks’ surface; put forward the wettability of gas on reservoir rocks’ surface—gas wettability in some special circumstances—and further expound the research status of gas wettability and super-hydrophobic theory in China and overseas; establish the definition of gas wettability.

Keywords

Reservoir; rock surface; liquid wettability; gas wettability; research status; definition of gas wettability

Outline

1.1 Introduction to Gas Wettability 1

1.1.1 Preferential Wettability of Liquid on the Solid Surface 1

1.1.2 Wettability of Reservoir Rocks and Its Effect Factors 2

1.1.3 Preferential Wettability of Gas on Reservoir Rock Surface 5

1.2 Research Status of Gas Wettability in China and Overseas 6

1.2.1 Research Status of Gas Wettability Overseas 6

1.2.2 Research Status of Gas Wettability in China 10

1.2.3 Advancements in Super-Hydrophobic Theory Research 19

1.3 Concept and Definition of Gas Wettability 24

References 25

1.1 Introduction to Gas Wettability

1.1.1 Preferential Wettability of Liquid on the Solid Surface

Wettability refers to the phenomenon of liquid spreading visually along solid surfaces due to molecular forces. The wettability of a solid surface can be defined in several ways. Firstly, a quantitative definition can be given based on the thermodynamics. The wettability of certain liquids to solids means change of Gibbs free energy of a unit solid surface caused by the contact with liquid, assuming that free energy does not change when contact with air [1]. By comparing wettability of different liquids to certain solids, one can predict whether a liquid in the solid