Combined spatially resolved and non-resolved 1H-NMR relaxation analysis to assess and monitor wettability reversal in carbonate rocks

Wettability is a petrophysical property that directly affects oil recovery by controlling the location, flow and distribution of fluids inside the reservoir. In this study it has been verified that a polar interaction mechanism to change wettability of a carbonate rock from water-wet to oil-wet by acid adsorption onto the rock surface can be obtained by injecting adequate chemicals, and in particular oleic acid dissolved in non-polar oil, like Soltrol® 170 used for laboratory experiments.