Experimental study on the mass transfer and microscopic distribution characteristics of remaining oil and CO2 during water-miscible CO2 flooding

Accurate understanding and quantitative characterization of the microscopic distribution and mobilization mechanisms of remaining oil are crucial for further enhancing oil recovery during CO2 flooding. In this study, miscible CO2 flooding experiments after water flooding were performed to investigate the mass transfer and microscopic distribution characteristics of remaining oil and CO2 using micro-computed tomography technique. Additionally, the distribution characteristics of multiphase fluids (oil, water and CO2) in the pores were comprehensively investigated. Furthermore, the mass transfer effects during the miscible CO2 flooding process, as well as the CO2 sequestration ratio (SR) and sequestration factor (SF) were systematically examined. The experimental results show that the ultimate oil recovery factor after miscible CO2 flooding were 80.9 %, 70.7 %, and 64.7 %, respectively. During the water flooding stage, the produced oil mainly consisted of light hydrocarbons (C5–C16), followed by medium hydrocarbons (C17–C27). The remaining oil was mainly in cluster and network pattern, followed by multiple and oil film pattern. After miscible CO2 flooding, the produced gas mainly consisted of CO2 and CH4, with a significant increase in the mass fraction of light hydrocarbons (C5–C16) in the produced oil. The remaining oil was mainly in multiple and singlet pattern, followed by network and film pattern, with a small portion in cluster pattern. The higher the displacement rate, the smaller the SR, but most of the injected CO2 (SR > 70 %) was retained in the porous media, demonstrating the feasibility of CO2 geological sequestration during the miscible flooding process.