The contribution of low temperature oxidation of heavy crude oil to oil displacement efficiency during air injection in low permeability reservoirs

The effects of different oxygen-containing air on enhanced oil recovery were evaluated by artificial cores with low permeability in displacement experiments. The results show that with the increment of oxygen content, more crude oil could be driven at the higher temperature and pressure, but the effect of oxygen concentration on oil displacement efficiency will be opposite at lower reaction temperatures. The reason is that the mechanism of low temperature oxidation of reservoir crude oil on enhanced recovery of gas drive is different under different temperature and pressure conditions. The results can be used as an experimental reference for the feasibility of air injection to enhance oil recovery in low permeability reservoirs.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the effects of different oxygen-containing air on enhanced oil recovery in low permeability artificial cores through displacement experiments. Results showed that increasing oxygen content can drive more crude oil at higher temperature and pressure, but the impact of oxygen concentration on oil displacement efficiency is opposite at lower reaction temperatures. This suggests that the mechanism of low temperature oxidation of reservoir crude oil for enhanced recovery of gas drive varies under different temperature and pressure conditions.