Optimization of injection parameters of a microemulsion-type oil displacement agent for heavy oil recovery.

This article focuses on the development and optimization of a microemulsion-type oil displacement agent to enhance heavy oil recovery in reservoirs. Using core flooding experiments and visual analyses, the study identifies optimal injection parameters—0.15 pore volume (PV) of microemulsion at 0.10 ml/min injection rate followed by water flooding at 0.20 ml/min—that achieve a maximum oil recovery of 39.83%, representing a 25.69% improvement over conventional water flooding. The enhanced oil recovery (EOR) mechanism is described as a three-stage process involving spontaneous solubilization of heavy oil, viscosity reduction through solvent interaction, and emulsification into oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, which collectively improve oil mobility and recovery efficiency. This microemulsion flooding method offers a promising non-thermal EOR approach for heavy oil reservoirs.