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Reservoir Science, Volume 2, Issue 1, 2026: 16-33

Open Access | Research Article | 15 January 2026
Microscopic Analysis of Flow Resistance of Oil Displacement Fluid in Reservoir Fractures
1 Directional Well Drilling Company of Bohai Drilling Engineering Co., Ltd, CNPC, Tianjin 300385, China
2 Faculty of Engineering, China University of Petroleum-Beijing at Karamay, Karamay 834000, China
* Corresponding Author: Junying Liao, [email protected]
ARK: ark:/57805/rs.2025.837826
Received: 19 November 2025, Accepted: 09 January 2026, Published: 15 January 2026  
Abstract
The flow resistance of displacement fluids within reservoir fractures directly influences oil recovery efficiency and sweep efficiency, thereby exerting a substantial impact on reservoir recovery and overall oilfield production. To address the significant flow resistance of contemporary displacement fluids, this study developed a multi-performance evaluation apparatus capable of simultaneously measuring fluid viscosity, flow resistance, and displacement efficiency. The effects of various reservoir parameters and fluid compositions on flow resistance and sweep area were systematically analyzed. Elevated reservoir temperatures clearly reduce fluid flow resistance within fractures, allowing displacement fluids to penetrate more deeply into the reservoir. In contrast, an inverse relationship between reservoir pressure and flow resistance was observed, which poses a significant barrier to reducing flow resistance and achieving rapid fluid penetration. Moreover, through a micromolecular perspective and adsorption theory, this study identifies strategies to modify flow resistance, thereby substantially enhancing displacement efficiency and sweep area by lowering flow resistance. This study provides foundational data and a theoretical framework for mitigating fluid flow resistance within reservoir fractures during oil recovery, thereby facilitating enhanced oil recovery over a larger reservoir area.

Graphical Abstract
Microscopic Analysis of Flow Resistance of Oil Displacement Fluid in Reservoir Fractures

Keywords
geological exploration
reservoir flooding
reservoir transformation
energy extraction
petroleum geology

Data Availability Statement
Data will be made available on request.

Funding
This work was supported without any funding.

Conflicts of Interest
Wusheng Li is affiliated with the Directional Well Drilling Company of Bohai Drilling Engineering Co., Ltd, CNPC, Tianjin 300385, China. The authors declare that this affiliation had no influence on the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or the decision to publish, and that no other competing interests exist.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate
Not applicable.

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Cite This Article
APA Style
Li, W., & Liao, J. (2026). Microscopic Analysis of Flow Resistance of Oil Displacement Fluid in Reservoir Fractures. Reservoir Science, 2(1), 16–33. https://doi.org/10.62762/RS.2025.837826
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TY  - JOUR
AU  - Li, Wusheng
AU  - Liao, Junying
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/01/15
TI  - Microscopic Analysis of Flow Resistance of Oil Displacement Fluid in Reservoir Fractures
JO  - Reservoir Science
T2  - Reservoir Science
JF  - Reservoir Science
VL  - 2
IS  - 1
SP  - 16
EP  - 33
DO  - 10.62762/RS.2025.837826
UR  - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/RS.2025.837826
KW  - geological exploration
KW  - reservoir flooding
KW  - reservoir transformation
KW  - energy extraction
KW  - petroleum geology
AB  - The flow resistance of displacement fluids within reservoir fractures directly influences oil recovery efficiency and sweep efficiency, thereby exerting a substantial impact on reservoir recovery and overall oilfield production. To address the significant flow resistance of contemporary displacement fluids, this study developed a multi-performance evaluation apparatus capable of simultaneously measuring fluid viscosity, flow resistance, and displacement efficiency. The effects of various reservoir parameters and fluid compositions on flow resistance and sweep area were systematically analyzed. Elevated reservoir temperatures clearly reduce fluid flow resistance within fractures, allowing displacement fluids to penetrate more deeply into the reservoir. In contrast, an inverse relationship between reservoir pressure and flow resistance was observed, which poses a significant barrier to reducing flow resistance and achieving rapid fluid penetration. Moreover, through a micromolecular perspective and adsorption theory, this study identifies strategies to modify flow resistance, thereby substantially enhancing displacement efficiency and sweep area by lowering flow resistance. This study provides foundational data and a theoretical framework for mitigating fluid flow resistance within reservoir fractures during oil recovery, thereby facilitating enhanced oil recovery over a larger reservoir area.
SN  - 3070-2356
PB  - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge
LA  - English
ER  - 
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@article{Li2026Microscopi,
  author = {Wusheng Li and Junying Liao},
  title = {Microscopic Analysis of Flow Resistance of Oil Displacement Fluid in Reservoir Fractures},
  journal = {Reservoir Science},
  year = {2026},
  volume = {2},
  number = {1},
  pages = {16-33},
  doi = {10.62762/RS.2025.837826},
  url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/RS.2025.837826},
  abstract = {The flow resistance of displacement fluids within reservoir fractures directly influences oil recovery efficiency and sweep efficiency, thereby exerting a substantial impact on reservoir recovery and overall oilfield production. To address the significant flow resistance of contemporary displacement fluids, this study developed a multi-performance evaluation apparatus capable of simultaneously measuring fluid viscosity, flow resistance, and displacement efficiency. The effects of various reservoir parameters and fluid compositions on flow resistance and sweep area were systematically analyzed. Elevated reservoir temperatures clearly reduce fluid flow resistance within fractures, allowing displacement fluids to penetrate more deeply into the reservoir. In contrast, an inverse relationship between reservoir pressure and flow resistance was observed, which poses a significant barrier to reducing flow resistance and achieving rapid fluid penetration. Moreover, through a micromolecular perspective and adsorption theory, this study identifies strategies to modify flow resistance, thereby substantially enhancing displacement efficiency and sweep area by lowering flow resistance. This study provides foundational data and a theoretical framework for mitigating fluid flow resistance within reservoir fractures during oil recovery, thereby facilitating enhanced oil recovery over a larger reservoir area.},
  keywords = {geological exploration, reservoir flooding, reservoir transformation, energy extraction, petroleum geology},
  issn = {3070-2356},
  publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}

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