Question

Explain the processes involved in water flooding for oil extraction

Answer 1

Water flooding as a secondary recovery method is a common technology. After primary recovery is complete there is a great deal of oil still coating the reservoir rock and by pushing water through the pores of the rock, some of this oil is recovered.

Answer 2

Water injcted under high pressure displaces the less dense oil which is forced out at the surface usually throught nearby wells. This works well for disposing oof produced wate (water separated from crude oil or gas in the process of extracting it). Most produced water is highly contaminate from subterranean chemicals, and would be expensive to deal with otherwise.

Answer 3

the density of the oil only 800kg/m3 which is less than water's (1000 kg/m3), so it can rise and floats on the water surface.