Fluorocarbon Interfacial Modifier: Wettability Alteration in Reservoir Rocks for Enhanced Oil Recovery and Field Application

Ruiyang Liu, Huabin Li (), Zhe Li, Xudong Yu, Lide He, Xutong Guo, Feng Zhao, Huaqiang Shi and Wenzhao Sun
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Ruiyang Liu: College of Materials and Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Huabin Li: College of Energy, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Zhe Li: Oil & Gas Technology Research Institute Changqing Oilfield Company, Xi’an 710021, China
Xudong Yu: College of Materials and Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Lide He: College of Materials and Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Xutong Guo: College of Energy, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Feng Zhao: College of Materials and Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Huaqiang Shi: Oil & Gas Technology Research Institute Changqing Oilfield Company, Xi’an 710021, China
Wenzhao Sun: College of Energy, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 20, 1-33

Abstract: The peripheral reservoirs of the Daqing Oilfield exhibit low permeability and partial heterogeneity, resulting in a rapid injection pressure increase, limited sweep efficiency, and significant residual oil retention. To enhance recovery, this study synthesized a fluorocarbon siloxane (FHB) via free radical addition for rock surface wettability modification. At a concentration of 0.1 wt%, FHB increased water and oil contact angles to 136° and 117°, respectively, at 60 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and aging tests confirmed stable hydrophobic/oleophobic properties through chemical bonding to the rock. Furthermore, the low surface energy FHB significantly reduced adhesion work and decreased oil-water interfacial tension from 27 mN/m to 0.55 mN/m, thereby improving fluid transport in pore throats and promoting residual oil mobilization. Core flooding experiments resulted in an increase in total recovery by 11%, with low-field NMR analysis confirming reduced oil saturation across various pore sizes. A field trial in a production well in Daqing Oilfield successfully increased output from 3.1 t/d to 4.9 t/d, validating the efficacy of this strategy under real reservoir conditions—representing the first successful field application of a fluorocarbon-based modifier for wettability alteration and oil production enhancement in China. This study provides valuable experimental data and a practical framework for implementing chemical-enhanced recovery.

Keywords: fluorocarbon compounds; low-permeability reservoirs; wettability alteration; core flooding; enhanced 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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