Optimization of injection well placement considering the productive reservoirs capillary properties

This paper contains the results of a study on the influence of capillary forces in productive reservoir on the specifics of filtration of injected water during development of oil deposits using waterflooding method. Waterflooding is a commonly used method for oil field development. Injection wells are often positioned using a fixed geometric pattern that does not consider the capillary properties of the reservoir. The aim of this study is to optimize flooding system on oil field in terrigenous hydrophilic reservoirs at various stages of development. The study found that waterflooding in the field development is only effective in hydrophilic reservoirs. By utilizing the Young–Laplace equation, the authors explain the features of the distribution of injected water within the pore space of productive reservoir. To improve development system in hydrophilic reservoirs, the authors propose the following: application of focal flooding and injection well placement in zones with lower capillary pressure. This paper also suggests practical recommendations for the injection well placement based on capillary properties, supported by real case examples.