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Re-Energization Shale Oil Reservoirs with Nanofluid Prefracturing: Mechanism Simulation and Case Study.
Zili Zhou1,2, Chunbai He1, Jun Liu1
1CNOOC International Limited Corporation, No. 25 Chaoyangmen North Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100028, China.
Nanofluid prefracturing re-energization enhances unconventional oil recovery by improving formation energy and hydraulic fracturing. This method boosts long-term oil extraction and pressure maintenance in shale oil reservoirs.
Area of Science:
- Petroleum Engineering
- Unconventional Oil Recovery
- Nanotechnology Applications
Background:
- Unconventional oil reservoirs face challenges due to low porosity and permeability, hindering effective water injection and oil extraction.
- Traditional methods like formation energy replenishment and hydraulic fracturing are employed for enhanced oil recovery.
- There is a need for innovative approaches to overcome the limitations of conventional methods in shale oil development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate the use of nanofluid for prefracturing re-energization in unconventional oil reservoirs.
- To analyze the characteristics of nanofluids and the prefracturing re-energization process.
- To develop a mechanistic model and simulation framework for predicting performance and optimizing the process.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the benefits of nanofluid prefracturing re-energization.
- Numerical simulations were used to characterize the flow dynamics and flow space during the process.
- A mechanistic model was developed to analyze injection pressure and sweep efficiency, leading to a predictive simulation framework.
Main Results:
- Nanofluid-based prefracturing re-energization significantly improved long-term oil recovery and pressure maintenance compared to conventional water injection or no re-energization.
- Enhanced imbibition and improved fluid mobility were identified as primary mechanisms for the observed benefits.
- A pilot test in the Jimusar shale oil reservoir confirmed the positive outcomes of this novel approach.
Conclusions:
- Nanofluid prefracturing re-energization presents a promising new strategy for addressing energy replenishment and fracturing challenges in shale oil development.
- The developed mechanistic simulation framework effectively maps nanofluid properties to dynamic reservoir parameters, enabling predictive analysis.
- This approach offers a viable solution for increasing oil displacement efficiency and maximizing recovery from unconventional resources.
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