Optimization of contact angle and interfacial tension measurements for fluid/rock systems at ambient conditions

Abstract

Quantification of interfacial tension (IFT) and contact angles is essential to characterize reservoir fluid-fluid and rock-fluid interactions. However, these measurements are highly dependent on chemical structure, surface residues, system conditions, flow dynamics and interface interactions. Interfacial interactions are specifically important for secondary and tertiary oil recovery processes where water or brine is injected to recover residual oil through complex multi-phase - rock/brine/oil- interactions Due to the delicate interactions across the interfaces, these systems are subjected to variations and inconsistencies that might be difficult to eliminate, thus, affecting the reliability, reproducibility, and certainty of the data. Therefore, reliable measurements need to eliminate fundamental sources of error and remove surface contaminants. To optimize these measurements, the presented methods take a holistic approach to carefully and reliably optimize the procedure for interfacial tension and contact angle measurements for fluid-fluid and rock-fluid interaction studies at ambient conditions (22.0 ± 2 °C and atmospheric pressure). • The presented method ensures minimization of impurities that alter interfacial tension measurements; • Enhanced preparation for tested surfaces for contact angle measurements, and; • Optimization of procedure at ambient conditions Method name: Interfacial tension (Pendant Drop Method), static contact angle (Sessile Drop Method) and advancing and receding contact angles (Changing Volume Method or Captive-Drop Method), Keywords: Interfacial tension, Contact angle, Wettability, Optimization, Multi-phase, Reservoir, Immiscible fluids