Improved Oil Recovery from Tensleep Sandstone – Studies of Brine-Rock Interactions by Micro-CT and AFM

Abstract

Numerous laboratory studies show that oil recovery by waterflooding can depend on the composition of<br>the injected water. In particular, low salinity water injection has been shown to improve oil recovery in<br>both laboratory core floods and field pilot tests. While the presence of clay, crude oil, and an initial water<br>saturation have all been identified as minimal and necessary conditions for increased recovery from clastic<br>rocks, their relationship as well as other relevant conditions remain uncertain.