Postdoctoral researcher Dr. Igor Ivanishin investigated natural variations of dolomite and calcite minerals to understand why well stimulations in carbonate reservoirs do not always work.
Current modeling methods assume these minerals have ideal chemical compositions and predictably react when acids are injected to stimulate or dissolve channels in reservoir rock for hydrocarbons to travel through. Ivanishin found that extra ions picked up during dolomite formation in nature can modify the mineral’s chemical stability. When acids are applied, dissolution rates can vary up to five times greater than expected, meaning the stimulation could dissolve too much in one spot and leave the rest of the reservoir untouched.
He is testing calcite for similar issues and creating computer simulations of his results to share with oil companies while discussing possible solutions.