Surface complexation modelling of potential determining ions sorption on oil/brine and brine/rock interfaces

Previous studies on smart water effects have suggested wettability alteration as the most significant mechanism for additional oil recovery during smart water injection. Though many other mechanisms have been observed and proposed in several other studies, much more attention is paid to the detachment of oil films from rock surfaces. It is, however, clear from prevailing understanding that the activities at oil/brine interfaces might require as much attention as given to the brine/rock interfaces. This paper presents diffuse double layer surface complexation modelling of the adsorption of potential determining (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and SO₄^2-) ions on oil carboxylic and carbonate surfaces. Surface complexation models are developed by defining the adsorption sites, surface area and mass of the oil and carbonate surfaces. The chemical reactions involving the surface sites and five different brine solutions are also defined. The brine solutions include formation water, sea water, sea water diluted 20 and 50 times, and sea water with four times SO₄^2- concentration. The amount of the divalent ions adsorbed at pH range of 5 to 8 are determined after the reactions had reached equilibrium. Adsorption of the ions on oil carboxylic and carbonate surfaces at elevated temperature for the sea water is also investigated. Results show that significant number of divalent ions are collected at the oil/brine interfaces just as adsorbed at the brine/rock interfaces. The results suggest that the equilibrium reactions and the dynamics at the two mathematical interfaces in any oil/brine/rock systems are equally important to reach a full understanding of the main mechanisms behind smart water effects. Therefore, the dynamics of ionic reactions at the oil/brine interface can play critical roles in defining smart water effects on residual oil mobilization.