Unveiling Heterogeneity's Reservoar Impact: A Reservoir Simulation Odyssey Into Cyclic Waterflooding Dynamics

Reservoir heterogeneity has long been recognized as a critical factor influencing the efficiency of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods. Among the techniques applied, cyclic waterflooding is considered one of the promising approaches due to its relatively simple operational design and potential to improve sweep efficiency. This method involves alternating water injection in specific cycles to mobilize trapped oil and redistribute reservoir pressure. However, the variation in geological properties such as porosity, permeability, and fluid saturation creates challenges in achieving uniform displacement, especially in reservoirs with high heterogeneity. Understanding the role of heterogeneity is therefore crucial for optimizing cyclic waterflooding applications. This study applies a literature review approach by synthesizing findings from previous experimental and field studies that evaluated cyclic waterflooding under different reservoir conditions. The analysis compares the performance of cyclic water injection periods across reservoirs characterized by varying levels of heterogeneity. Parameters such as injection rate, water breakthrough time, and oil recovery factor were considered in evaluating the effectiveness of this method. The results highlight that reservoirs with high heterogeneity often experience uneven fluid distribution, leading to early water breakthrough and reduced oil recovery. In contrast, reservoirs with relatively low heterogeneity tend to respond better to cyclic waterflooding, resulting in improved sweep efficiency and higher incremental recovery. Moreover, the optimization of cycle timing and water injection intervals appears to significantly mitigate the negative effects of heterogeneity. In conclusion, the study emphasizes that reservoir heterogeneity plays a decisive role in determining the success of cyclic waterflooding. Tailoring injection strategies based on geological variability is essential to maximize recovery efficiency. Future research should focus on integrating advanced reservoir characterization techniques with adaptive cyclic flooding models to further enhance oil production outcomes.