System and methods of recovering oil

Abstract

The present disclosure also generally provides methods of recovering oil. The methods include receiving data representing one or more physical characteristics of a subterranean formation. A first model of the subterranean formation is obtained. An oil phase proximal to an oil-water contact is identified based on the first model of the subterranean formation and the one or more physical characteristics. A tool is disposed at or above the oil-water contact. The tool is fluidly coupled to an aqueous fluid line and an organic fluid line. A first aqueous solvent, having a first viscosity, is injected from the aqueous fluid line into an aqueous phase proximal to the oil-water contact. The first aqueous solvent includes a surfactant. The aqueous phase proximal to the oil-water contact including a second viscosity. The first viscosity is greater than the second viscosity. An organic solvent is injected above the first aqueous solvent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for oil recovery, the method comprising: 
 receiving data representing one or more physical characteristics of a subterranean formation, wherein the data is collected by one or more devices deployed in or near the subterranean formation;   obtaining a first model of the subterranean formation, the first model representing rock properties as a function of location in the subterranean formation;   identifying an oil phase proximal to an oil-water contact based on the first model of the subterranean formation and the one or more physical characteristics, the oil phase comprising about 8 wt% to about 99 wt% asphaltene;   disposing a tool in the oil phase proximal to the oil-water contact of the subterranean formation, the tool fluidly coupled to an aqueous fluid line and an organic fluid line;   injecting a first aqueous solvent from the aqueous fluid line into the oil phase; and   injecting an organic solvent from the organic fluid line into the oil phase.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising injecting a second aqueous solvent from the aqueous fluid line.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying the oil-water contact further comprises: 
 generating a second model of the subterranean formation, the second model representing fluid properties in the subterranean formation, wherein the fluid properties of the second model characterize asphaltene concentration based on the location in the subterranean formation;   identifying reservoir compartments of the subterranean formation based at least partially on the asphaltene concentration based on the location in the subterranean formation; and   identifying the oil-water contact based on the reservoir compartments.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the reservoir compartments comprise a tar mat.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first aqueous solvent and the second aqueous solvent comprise water. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the water is treated with a non-emulsifier comprising one or more of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, decyl octyl glycosides, fatty acid derivative polymers, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the organic solvent comprises one or more of xylene, maleic acid dicarboxylic ester, adipic acid dicarboxylic acid, succinic ester, acetic ester, formic ester, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         8 . A method for oil recovery, the method comprising: 
 receiving data representing one or more physical characteristics of a subterranean formation, wherein the data is collected by one or more devices deployed in or near the subterranean formation;   obtaining a first model of the subterranean formation, the first model representing rock properties as a function of location in the subterranean formation;   identifying an oil phase proximal to an oil-water contact based on the first model of the subterranean formation and the one or more physical characteristics, the oil phase disposed above the oil-water contact;    disposing a tool at or above the oil-water contact, the tool fluidly coupled to an aqueous fluid line; and   injecting a first aqueous solvent, having a first viscosity, from the aqueous fluid line into an aqueous phase proximal to the oil-water contact, the aqueous phase proximal to the oil-water contact comprising a second viscosity, wherein the first aqueous solvent comprises a surfactant, and wherein the first viscosity is greater than the second viscosity.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein identifying the oil-water contact further comprises: 
 generating a second model of the subterranean formation, the second model representing fluid properties in the subterranean formation, wherein the fluid properties of the second model characterize asphaltene concentration based on the location in the subterranean formation;   identifying reservoir compartments of the subterranean formation based at least partially on the asphaltene concentration based on the location in the subterranean formation; and   identifying the oil-water contact based on the reservoir compartments.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the reservoir compartments comprise a tar mat.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first aqueous solvent comprises water. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the water is treated with a non-emulsifier comprising one or more of decyl octyl glycosides, fatty acid derivative polymers, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the surfactant comprises ethylene glycol monobutyl ether.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising injecting a second aqueous solvent, the second aqueous solvent comprising a third viscosity. 
     
     
         15 . A method for oil recovery, the method comprising: 
 receiving data representing one or more physical characteristics of a subterranean formation, wherein the data is collected by one or more devices deployed in or near the subterranean formation;   obtaining a first model of the subterranean formation, the first model representing rock properties as a function of location in the subterranean formation;   identifying an oil phase proximal to an oil-water contact based on the first model of the subterranean formation and the one or more physical characteristics, the oil phase comprising about 8 wt% to about 99 wt% asphaltene;    disposing a tool in the oil phase proximal to the oil-water contact of the subterranean formation, the tool fluidly coupled to an aqueous fluid line and an organic fluid line;   injecting a first aqueous solvent, having a first viscosity, from the aqueous fluid line into an aqueous phase proximal to the oil-water contact, the aqueous phase proximal to the oil-water contact comprising a second viscosity, wherein the first aqueous solvent comprises a surfactant, and wherein the first viscosity is greater than the second viscosity; and   injecting an organic solvent from the organic fluid line above the first aqueous solvent.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein identifying the oil-water contact further comprises: 
 generating a second model of the subterranean formation, the second model representing fluid properties in the subterranean formation, wherein the fluid properties of the second model characterize asphaltene concentration based on the location in the subterranean formation;   identifying reservoir compartments of the subterranean formation based at least partially on the asphaltene concentration based on the location in the subterranean formation; and   identifying the oil-water contact based on the reservoir compartments.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first aqueous solvent comprises water treated with a non-emulsifier comprising one or more of decyl octyl glycosides, fatty acid derivative polymers, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the organic solvent comprises one or more of xylene, maleic acid dicarboxylic ester, adipic acid dicarboxylic acid, succinic ester, acetic ester, or formic ester. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the surfactant comprises ethylene glycol monobutyl ether.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising injecting a second aqueous solvent, the second aqueous solvent comprising a third viscosity.