Laboratory and economic study on Saudi oil recovery by Alkaline flooding

Abstract

Oil displacements in Saudi sandstone and limestone cores were performed. Some runs were carried out in Berea sandstone cores at different temperatures from 22 to 60°c. Safaniya crude oil (obtained from Safaniya oil field operated by Saudi Aramco) was used in displacement tests. Economical application of the process was studied 10 evaluate oil/recovery. Safaniya crude was determined to be acidic. Alkaline concentration reduces brine interfacial tension with an optimum value at about 0.5 percent. Oil recovery was greater in limestone cores. Increasing temperature from 25 to 60° improved displacement efficiency. The economical feasibility study indicated that initial oil saturation in the reservoir, price of injected NaOH and oil price have an effect on the decision of applying the process of enhanced alkaline flooding.