https://doi.org/10.65294/gpogc.2026.04
Pore-scale evaluation of oil samples with distinct
physicochemical properties for enhanced oil recovery efficiency A.M.
Mamed-zade, E.N. Aliyev, E.F. Alizade, T.Kh. Malikov, N.S. Bayramova, A.M.
Salimli
This paper presents a detailed laboratory
investigation of the behavior of three types of oil with different
physicochemical properties (processed transformer oil, machine oil and
paraffinic oil) in a porous medium. The main objective of the study is to
establish a scientific basis for increasing the efficiency of oil recovery
processes by examining the displacement capabilities of this oil, their
interactions with water and their electrokinetic characteristics. During the
experiments, the kinematic viscosity, specific gravity, displacement percentage
in the porous medium, recovery rate during water injection and electrokinetic
behavior of the oil were determined. The results revealed that the
physicochemical properties of the oil, particularly viscosity and specific
gravity, significantly influence their behavior in porous media. Among the oil
tested, the paraffinic oil with the lowest viscosity demonstrated the highest
displacement capability (57.5%) and the highest recovery rate during water
flooding (58.6%) compared to the others. Transformer oil, which had the highest
viscosity, exhibited the lowest displacement performance. A comprehensive
analysis of resistance changes during water flooding showed that paraffinic oil
displayed more stable resistance within the rock. Electrokinetic studies
revealed a correlation between the oil’s electrokinetic behavior and their
specific gravity and viscosity. The flow rates of the oil under different
pressures were also examined and various flow characteristics (viscous-plastic
and viscous behavior) were observed both within the porous medium and under
normal conditions. In addition, the experimental workflow was standardized to
ensure consistent boundary conditions for reliable comparison of the oils. The
study further offers a methodological basis for future work linking pore-scale
flow behavior with overall recovery efficiency. The findings demonstrate that
optimizing the physicochemical properties of oil used in oil recovery,
especially by adjusting viscosity and specific gravity, can significantly
enhance production efficiency. The high displacement and recovery performance
of paraffinic oil indicates promising potential for its more effective
application in reservoir development. These results are not only practically
important for the oil industry but also provide a foundation for future
research on fluid flow and interactions in porous media.