Cation Exchange in Porous Media With Broad-Equivalent-Weight Sulfonate Micellar Fluids

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Abstract
This paper describes experimental and theoretical studies of cation exchange in porous media with micellar fluids formulated using a broad-equivalent-weight (BEW) sulfonate. The sulfonates can be described as composed of two pseudocomponents—a quasi-monosulfonate (the oil-moving component) and a quasi-disulfonate (the sul-fonate-solubilizing component). With this description and a mass-action model for cation exchange between the micelles, clays, and solution, a match between computer model predictions and results of laboratory single-phase flow tests in Berea sandstone was carried out. The assumptions required are reviewed and independent experimental results presented. With these assumptions and parameter values determined from the Berea history match, satisfactory predictions of divalent cation concentrations in field core experiments have been made. The good predictive capability of this model allows initial screening and development of micellar formulations for specific reservoir applications to be conducted at appropriate hardness levels.