Petroleum Reservoir Evaluation and Development ›› 2021, Vol. 11 ›› Issue (3): 414-421.doi: 10.13809/j.cnki.cn32-1825/te.2021.03.017

• Comprehensive Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Advance in application of molecular dynamics simulation in polymer flooding

XU Jianping1,2(),YUAN Yuanda1,2(),XIE Qing1,2,WEI Xuegang1,2,FENG Zhen1,2   

  1. 1. College of Petroleum Engineering, Xi'an Shiyou University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, China
    2. MOE Engineering Research Center of Development & Management of Western Low & Ultra-Low Permeability Oilfield, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, China
  • Received:2020-11-12 Online:2021-06-22 Published:2021-06-24

Abstract:

Traditionally, laboratory testing and measurement are considered to be the most reliable characterization methods. However, in many cases, due to the unclear understanding of the sensitivity to the range of reservoir properties and local changes of heterogeneous reservoir properties, and based on the oversimplified assumptions, the feature prediction obtained by this deterministic strategy is highly uncertain. In recent years, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has received extensive attention in the study of reservoir rock, fluid properties and their interactions, as well as at the atomic level. In MD simulation, interesting properties are extracted from the time evolution analysis of atomic position and velocity through the numerical solution of Newton's equations for all atomic motions in the system. This technology can help to carry out the computer experiments which can be used to do the experiments that may not be able to complete, with high cost or very dangerous. In this paper, we review the MD simulation technology and its application in the study of oil displacement mechanism and properties of oil displacement agent, and expounds the theoretical concept and program of MD, especially in the analysis of polymer flooding. It will provide useful guidelines to characterize reservoir rocks and fluids and their behaviors in various reservoirs, help to better optimize the operation of design and production plan, and provide a theoretical basis for the development of polymer flooding technology in oilfields.

Key words: polymer flooding, oil displacement mechanism, properties of oil displacement agent, Enhanced oil recovery, molecular dynamics

CLC Number: 

  • TE319