1887

Abstract

Summary

Diatomite, characterized by its high porosity and low permeability, is a reservoir rock that presents unique opportunities for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications. Because of the low permeability, spontaneous imbibition of water could be key for decreasing the residual oil saturation in these rocks. The porous structure of diatomite, primarily formed by the silicious remains of diatoms, and presence of other minerals, such as clays and feldspars, significantly impacts the ability of diatomites to adsorb hydrocarbons and store fluids. The EOR-potential in diatomite rocks is influenced by several factors, including mineral composition, pore structure, and wettability characteristics. While adsorption behavior remains a key factor in EOR strategies, it is hypothesized that capillary forces of the unique porous media and its mineralogy play critical roles in dictating interactions with injected fluids.

In this study the physicochemical properties of reservoir diatomite samples from the Lark Formation (Norwegian Continental Shelf) and reservoir and outcrop diatomite samples from the Belridge and Monterey fields (California, USA) are compared. Various analyses were conducted using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, Mercury Intrusion Capillary Pressure, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements, and X-ray Diffraction to investigate the mineralogical composition and physical properties crucial for EOR potential.

The results revealed distinct mineralogical compositions across the diatomite samples. The Lark diatomite contained opal, illite, kaolinite, muscovite, and pyrite, while the Belridge diatomite consisted of opal, illite-smectite, and albite-anorthite. The Monterey diatomite was predominantly composed of opal. The Lark diatomite was found to have porosity of 48% and permeability of 0.242 mD, in contrast to the Belridge and Monterey diatomites, which exhibited porosities of 58% and 75%, with permeabilities of 2.43 mD and 8.01 mD, respectively. These findings indicate that the American Monterey outcrop diatomite, with its higher permeability and differing mineral composition, cannot be used as a direct analogue for neither Norwegian Lark nor American Belridge reservoir diatomite in wettability alteration-based EOR applications.

This research highlights the need to tailor EOR methodologies to the specific mineralogical and physicochemical properties of diatomite reservoirs. By understanding these properties, future work will focus on optimizing recovery techniques and understanding how wettability and capillary forces influence oil recovery from diatomite formations.

© EAGE Publications BV
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2025-04-02
2026-02-15

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IOR Mechanisms in Diatomite Reservoirs: Comparative Study of Norwegian and American Diatomite Properties
Conference Proceedings 2025, 1 (2025); https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.202531061
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202531061
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