scholarly journals Evaluating the potential of natural surfactants in the petroleum industry: the case of hydrophobins

2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marijana Blesic ◽  
Valentina Dichiarante ◽  
Roberto Milani ◽  
Markus Linder ◽  
Pierangelo Metrangolo
Keyword(s):  
Interfacial Tension ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Hydrocarbon Mixture ◽  
Chemical Flooding ◽  
Biological Origin ◽  
Natural Surfactants ◽  
Oil Water ◽  
The Moment

AbstractEnhancing oil recovery from currently available reservoirs is a major issue for petroleum companies. Among the possible strategies towards this, chemical flooding through injection of surfactants into the wells seems to be particularly promising, thanks to their ability to reduce oil/water interfacial tension that promotes oil mobilization. Environmental concerns about the use of synthetic surfactants led to a growing interest in their replacement with surfactants of biological origin, such as lipopeptides and glycolipids produced by several microorganisms. Hydrophobins are small amphiphilic proteins produced by filamentous fungi with high surface activity and good emulsification properties, and may represent a novel sustainable tool for this purpose. We report here a thorough study of their stability and emulsifying performance towards a model hydrocarbon mixture, in conditions that mimic those of real oil reservoirs (high salinity and high temperature). Due to the moderate interfacial tension reduction induced in such conditions, the application of hydrophobins in enhanced oil recovery techniques does not appear feasible at the moment, at least in absence of co-surfactants. On the other hand, the obtained results showed the potential of hydrophobins in promoting the formation of a gel-like emulsion ‘barrier’ at the oil/water interface.

Evaluation of a Composite Flooding Formula Used to Enhance the Oil Recovery of Ansai Oil Field

2020 ◽  
Vol 984 ◽  
pp. 183-188
Author(s):  
Rong Jun Zhang ◽  
Xiao Ke Wang ◽  
Jin Lin Zhao ◽  
Zheng Peng Zhou ◽  
Gang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Interfacial Tension ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Chemical Flooding ◽  
Surfactant Flooding ◽  
Technical Requirements ◽  
Viscoelastic Surfactant

The composite flooding formula utilizes the characteristics of polymer flooding and surfactant flooding to compensate for the shortage of single component chemical flooding, reduce the oil-water interfacial tension to a certain extent, and broaden the maintenance range of low interfacial tension. The combined effects and synergies in the oil displacement process enhance oil recovery and allow it to adapt to a wider range of reservoir conditions. In this paper, the high surface active polymer-surfactant flooding formula suitable for the Chang 6 reservoir in Ansai Oilfield was evaluated. The general technical index of the viscoelastic surfactant fracturing fluid and the composite flooding surfactant were evaluated. The technical requirements are evaluation criteria, and comprehensive evaluation is made from several aspects such as salt tolerance, interfacial tension and emulsifying properties.

scholarly journals The Oscillatory Spinning Drop Technique. An Innovative Method to Measure Dilational Interfacial Rheological Properties of Crude Oil-Brine Systems in the Presence of Asphaltenes

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Ronald Marquez ◽  
Johnny Bullon ◽  
Ana Forgiarini ◽  
Jean-Louis Salager
Keyword(s):  
Interfacial Tension ◽  
Crude Oil ◽  
Rheological Properties ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Interfacial Rheology ◽  
Drop Method ◽  
Natural Surfactants ◽  
Low Interfacial Tension ◽  
Oil Water ◽  
Drop Technique

The oscillatory spinning drop method has been proven recently to be an accurate technique to measure dilational interfacial rheological properties. It is the only available equipment for measuring dilational moduli in low interfacial tension systems, as it is the case in applications dealing with surfactant-oil-water three-phase behavior like enhanced oil recovery, crude oil dehydration, or extreme microemulsion solubilization. Different systems can be studied, bubble-in-liquid, oil-in-water, microemulsion-in-water, oil-in-microemulsion, and systems with the presence of complex natural surfactants like asphaltene aggregates or particles. The technique allows studying the characteristics and properties of water/oil interfaces, particularly when the oil contains asphaltenes and when surfactants are present. In this work, we present a review of the measurements of crude oil-brine interfaces with the oscillating spinning drop technique. The review is divided into four sections. First, an introduction on the oscillating spinning drop technique, fundamental and applied concepts are presented. The three sections that follow are divided according to the complexity of the systems measured with the oscillating spinning drop, starting with simple surfactant-oil-water systems. Then the complexity increases, presenting interfacial rheology properties of crude oil-brine systems, and finally, more complex surfactant-crude oil-brine systems are reviewed. We have found that using the oscillating spinning drop method to measure interfacial rheology properties can help make precise measurements in a reasonable amount of time. This is of significance when systems with long equilibration times, e.g., asphaltene or high molecular weight surfactant-containing systems are measured, or with systems formulated with a demulsifier which is generally associated with low interfacial tension.

scholarly journals Mechanism of active silica nanofluids based on interface-regulated effect during spontaneous imbibition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu-Guang Song ◽  
Ming-Wei Zhao ◽  
Cai-Li Dai ◽  
Xin-Ke Wang ◽  
Wen-Jiao Lv
Keyword(s):  
Contact Angle ◽  
Interfacial Tension ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Dynamic Contact Angle ◽  
Liquid Interface ◽  
Spontaneous Imbibition ◽  
Wettability Alteration ◽  
Low Permeability ◽  
Oil Water ◽  
Solid Liquid

AbstractThe ultra-low permeability reservoir is regarded as an important energy source for oil and gas resource development and is attracting more and more attention. In this work, the active silica nanofluids were prepared by modified active silica nanoparticles and surfactant BSSB-12. The dispersion stability tests showed that the hydraulic radius of nanofluids was 58.59 nm and the zeta potential was − 48.39 mV. The active nanofluids can simultaneously regulate liquid–liquid interface and solid–liquid interface. The nanofluids can reduce the oil/water interfacial tension (IFT) from 23.5 to 6.7 mN/m, and the oil/water/solid contact angle was altered from 42° to 145°. The spontaneous imbibition tests showed that the oil recovery of 0.1 wt% active nanofluids was 20.5% and 8.5% higher than that of 3 wt% NaCl solution and 0.1 wt% BSSB-12 solution. Finally, the effects of nanofluids on dynamic contact angle, dynamic interfacial tension and moduli were studied from the adsorption behavior of nanofluids at solid–liquid and liquid–liquid interface. The oil detaching and transporting are completed by synergistic effect of wettability alteration and interfacial tension reduction. The findings of this study can help in better understanding of active nanofluids for EOR in ultra-low permeability reservoirs.

scholarly journals Enhanced Oil Recovery: Chemical Flooding

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Ragab ◽  
Eman M. Mansour
Keyword(s):  
Interfacial Tension ◽  
Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
Mobility Ratio ◽  
Chemical Flooding ◽  
Sweep Efficiency ◽  
Oil Displacement ◽  
Remaining Oil ◽  
Oil Displacement Efficiency

The enhanced oil recovery phase of oil reservoirs production usually comes after the water/gas injection (secondary recovery) phase. The main objective of EOR application is to mobilize the remaining oil through enhancing the oil displacement and volumetric sweep efficiency. The oil displacement efficiency enhances by reducing the oil viscosity and/or by reducing the interfacial tension, while the volumetric sweep efficiency improves by developing a favorable mobility ratio between the displacing fluid and the remaining oil. It is important to identify remaining oil and the production mechanisms that are necessary to improve oil recovery prior to implementing an EOR phase. Chemical enhanced oil recovery is one of the major EOR methods that reduces the residual oil saturation by lowering water-oil interfacial tension (surfactant/alkaline) and increases the volumetric sweep efficiency by reducing the water-oil mobility ratio (polymer). In this chapter, the basic mechanisms of different chemical methods have been discussed including the interactions of different chemicals with the reservoir rocks and fluids. In addition, an up-to-date status of chemical flooding at the laboratory scale, pilot projects and field applications have been reported.

Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles for oil–water interfacial tension reduction in enhanced oil recovery

2018 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Soleimani ◽  
Mirza Khurram Baig ◽  
Noorhana Yahya ◽  
Leila Khodapanah ◽  
Maziyar Sabet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interfacial Tension ◽  
Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Zno Nanoparticles ◽  
Tension Reduction ◽  
Oil Water

scholarly journals Nanotechnology in Enhanced Oil Recovery

Processes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Goshtasp Cheraghian ◽  
Sara Rostami ◽  
Masoud Afrand
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Interfacial Tension ◽  
Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Oil Water ◽  
Very High

Nanoparticles (NPs) are known as important nanomaterials for a broad range of commercial and research applications owing to their physical characteristics and properties. Currently, the demand for NPs for use in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is very high. The use of NPs can drastically benefit EOR by changing the wettability of the rock, improving the mobility of the oil drop and decreasing the interfacial tension (IFT) between oil/water. This paper focuses on a review of the application of NPs in the flooding process, the effect of NPs on wettability and the IFT. The study also presents a review of several investigations about the most common NPs, their physical and mechanical properties and benefits in EOR.

scholarly journals Experimental Investigation of Chemical Flooding Using Nanoparticles and Polymer on Displacement of Crude Oil for Enhanced Oil Recovery

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Imran Akbar ◽  
Hongtao Zhou ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Muhammad Usman Tahir ◽  
Asadullah Memon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Chemical Flooding ◽  
Polymer Gel ◽  
Core Flooding ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Remaining Oil ◽  
Water Cut

In the petroleum industry, the researchers have developed a new technique called enhanced oil recovery to recover the remaining oil in reservoirs. Some reservoirs are very complex and require advanced enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques containing new materials and additives in order to produce maximum oil in economic and environmental friendly manners. In this work, the effects of nanosuspensions (KY-200) and polymer gel HPAM (854) on oil recovery and water cut were studied in the view of EOR techniques and their results were compared. The mechanism of nanosuspensions transportation through the sand pack was also discussed. The adopted methodology involved the preparation of gel, viscosity test, and core flooding experiments. The optimum concentration of nanosuspensions after viscosity tests was used for displacement experiments and 3 wt % concentration of nanosuspensions amplified the oil recovery. In addition, high concentration leads to more agglomeration; thus, high core plugging takes place and diverts the fluid flow towards unswept zones to push more oil to produce and decrease the water cut. Experimental results indicate that nanosuspensions have the ability to plug the thief zones of water channeling and can divert the fluid flow towards unswept zones to recover the remaining oil from the reservoir excessively rather than the normal polymer gel flooding. The injection pressure was observed higher during nanosuspension injection than polymer gel injection. The oil recovery was achieved by about 41.04% from nanosuspensions, that is, 14.09% higher than polymer gel. Further investigations are required in the field of nanoparticles applications in enhanced oil recovery to meet the world's energy demands.

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