Effect of operational parameters on the performance of carbonated water injection: Experimental and numerical modeling study

Abstract The most attractive features of carbonated water injection (CWI) are its application for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. CWI is a robust CO 2 sequestration method in which carbonated water is injected into depleted oil reservoirs. CWI could also be coupled with disposal water injection. However, CWI efficiency in CO 2 sequestration and enhanced oil recovery depends on operational parameters such as CO 2 concentration in the injected fluid and injection flow rate. Therefore, the aim of this research is the investigation of addressed parameters in laboratory and field scales. In this study, one of Iran's southern oil reservoirs is selected and a field scale simulation is performed considering injection of carbonated water with varied concentrations and flow rates. Core flood experiments are also performed to observe the effect of aforementioned parameters on the ultimate oil recovery from core samples. Finally, CWI is evaluated for its performance in increasing oil recovery and potential for CO 2 sequestration in both core and field scales.