Mechanistic Study of Wettability Changes on Calcite by Molecules Containing a Polar Hydroxyl Functional Group and Nonpolar Benzene Rings.

Oil extraction efficiency strongly depends on the wettability status (oil- vs water-wet) of reservoir rocks during oil recovery. Aromatic compounds with polar functional groups in crude oil have a significant influence on binding hydrophobic molecules to mineral surfaces. Most of these compounds are in the asphaltene fraction of crude oil.