1. n. [Formation Evaluation]
The lowest water saturation, Swi, that can be achieved in a core plug by displacing the water by oil or gas. The state is usually achieved by flowing oil or gas through a water-saturated sample, or spinning it in a centrifuge to displace the water with oil or gas. The term is somewhat imprecise because the irreducible water saturation is dependent on the final drive pressure (when flowing oil or gas) or the maximum speed of rotation (in a centrifuge). The related term connate water saturation is the lowest water saturation found in situ.
See related terms: centrifuge
