Lithofacies Characteristics of Point Bars and Their Control on Incremental Oil Recovery Distribution During Surfactant–Polymer Flooding: A Case Study from the Gudao Oilfield

Xilei Liu, Changchun Guo, Qi Chen, Minghao Zhao and Yuming Liu ()
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Xilei Liu: Exploration and Development Research Institute, Shengli Oilfield Company, SINOPEC, Dongying 257015, China
Changchun Guo: Exploration and Development Research Institute, Shengli Oilfield Company, SINOPEC, Dongying 257015, China
Qi Chen: State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
Minghao Zhao: State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
Yuming Liu: State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-17

Abstract: Meandering river point bar sand bodies, serving as critical reservoir units, exhibit significant lithofacies heterogeneity that governs remaining oil distribution patterns. Taking the Guantao Formation in the Gudao Oilfield as an example, this study integrates core observation, pore-throat structure characterization, and numerical simulation to reveal lithofacies characteristics of point bar sand bodies and their controlling mechanisms on incremental oil recovery distribution during surfactant–polymer (SP) flooding. The results demonstrate that point bar lithofacies display planar grain-size fining from concave to convex banks, with vertical upward-fining sequences (point bar medium sandstone facies → fine sandstone facies → siltstone facies). Physical property variations among lithofacies lead to remaining oil enrichment in relatively low-permeability portions of fine sandstone facies and low-permeability siltstone facies after waterflooding. SP flooding significantly enhances remaining oil mobilization through a “lithofacies-controlled percolation—chemical synergy” coupling mechanisms. The petrophysical heterogeneity formed by vertical lithofacies assemblages in the reservoir directly governs the targeted zones of chemical agent action (with interfacial tension reduction preferentially occurring in high-permeability lithofacies, while viscosity control dominates sweep enhancement in low-permeability lithofacies). This results in a distinct spatial differentiation of the incremental oil recovery, characterized by a spindle-shaped sweep improvement zone and a dam-type displacement efficiency enhancement zone.

Keywords: point bar; lithofacies characteristics; surfactant–polymer flooding; numerical simulation; incremental oil recovery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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