Emulsion particle size in porous media and its effect on the displacement efficiency

ABSTRACT The emulsification process in reservoirs was simulated using core displacement experiments. Emulsions with different particle sizes were prepared using different permeability cores, and the different emulsion particle sizes formed using different permeability cores were studied. The emulsion particle size was graded against the core throat diameter, and the displacement efficiency of the different particle size emulsions was studied. The displacement mechanism of the emulsion was analyzed. The results indicated that the emulsion is mostly pore-throat scale formed in the porous media, with a particle size distribution similar to that of the core throat diameter, and the emulsion particle size increases with the increase of core permeability. The recovery percentage of emulsion flooding is greater when the matching ability of the emulsion was favorable, it is 17.07% when the matching factor is 1.08. The pore-throat scale emulsion can block high permeability zones and expand sweep volume. Moreover, due to deformation of the emulsion, the elastic stress can make the residual oil migrate forward and improve the efficiency of oil displacement. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT