A novel numerical simulation method and applications of CO2 thickened flooding

Ming Gao1,2, Wenfeng Lv1,2, Wei Wang3

  • 1Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development, Beijing, 100083, China.

Scientific Reports
|December 6, 2025
PubMed
Summary

This study demonstrates that simulating thickened CO2 viscosity using numerical models effectively improves oil recovery. Adjusting viscosity parameters in simulations offers practical guidance for CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) operations.

Related Concept Videos

Turbulent Flow: Problem Solving01:09

Turbulent Flow: Problem Solving

Carbonation is a process used to dissolve carbon dioxide gas in a liquid, commonly used in the production of carbonated beverages. Achieving efficient carbonation requires careful control of temperature, pressure, and flow conditions. By adjusting these parameters, carbonation efficiency can be maximized, producing a higher concentration of CO2 in the liquid.
Temperature is a key factor in CO2 solubility. In this case, the CO2 gas and the liquid are cooled to 20°C. Lower temperatures enhance...
367
Typical Model Studies01:30

Typical Model Studies

Fluid mechanics model studies often utilize scaled-down systems to predict fluid behavior in full-scale environments, such as river flows, dam spillways, and structures interacting with open surfaces. Maintaining Froude number similarity in river models is crucial, as it replicates surface flow features like wave patterns and velocities.
606
Design Example: Creating a Hydraulic Model of a Dam Spillway01:21

Design Example: Creating a Hydraulic Model of a Dam Spillway

Scaled hydraulic models of dam spillways provide a practical way to replicate and study the intricate flow dynamics of these structures. Often built to a 1:15 ratio, these models allow for observing critical water behavior, such as velocity distribution, flow patterns, and energy dissipation.
645
Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment01:17

Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment

Flood risk assessment involves careful planning and analysis to ensure the safety of communities near water retention structures. Capacity contours are a vital tool in this process, as they illustrate the potential spread of water at specific levels in a given area. In the context of building a bund across a small valley, these contours play a critical role in evaluating the safety of nearby residential areas.In this example, the bund is intended to store stormwater in the valley. The engineers...
270
Pressure of Fluids01:14

Pressure of Fluids

There are many examples of pressure in fluids in everyday life, such as in relation to blood (high or low blood pressure) and in relation to weather (high- and low-pressure weather systems). A given force can have a significantly different effect, depending on the area over which the force is exerted. For instance, a force applied to an area of 1 mm2 has a pressure that is 100 times greater than the same force applied to an area of 1 cm2. That's why a sharp needle is able to poke through...
21.4K
Uniform Depth Channel Flow: Problem Solving01:18

Uniform Depth Channel Flow: Problem Solving

To calculate the flow rate for a trapezoidal channel, first, identify the bottom width, side slope, and flow depth of the channel. The cross-sectional area (A) corresponding to the depth of flow (y), channel bottom width (B), and side slope (θ) is determined by:Next, calculate the wetted perimeter, which includes the bottom width and the sloped side lengths in contact with the water. Using the values of the cross-sectional area and the wetted perimeter, determine the hydraulic radius by...
417