Polymer viscosifier systems with potential application for enhanced oil recovery: a review

Due to the growing demand for oil and the large number of mature oil fields, Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques are increasingly used to increase the oil recovery factor. Among the chemical methods, the use of polymers stands out to increase the viscosity of the injection fluid and harmonize the advance of this fluid in the reservoir to provide greater sweep efficiency. Synthetic polymers based on acrylamide are widely used for EOR, with Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide (PHPA) being used the most. However, this polymer has low stability under harsh reservoir conditions (High Temperature and Salinity – HTHS). In order to improve the sweep efficiency of polymeric fluids under these conditions, Hydrophobically Modified Associative Polymers (HMAPs) and Thermo-Viscosifying Polymers (TVPs) are being developed. HMAPs contain small amounts of hydrophobic groups in their water-soluble polymeric chains, and above the Critical Association Concentration (CAC), form hydrophobic microdomains that increase the viscosity of the polymer solution. TVPs contain blocks or thermosensitive grafts that self-assemble and form microdomains, substantially increasing the solution’s viscosity. The performance of these systems is strongly influenced by the chemical group inserted in their structures, polymer concentration, salinity and temperature, among other factors. Furthermore, the application of nanoparticles is being investigated to improve the performance of injection polymers applied in EOR. In general, these systems have excellent thermal stability and salinity tolerance along with high viscosity, and therefore increase the oil recovery factor. Thus, these systems can be considered promising agents for enhanced oil recovery applications under harsh conditions, such as high salinity and temperature. Moreover, stands out the use of genetic programming and artificial intelligence to estimate important parameters for reservoir engineering, process improvement, and optimize polymer flooding in enhanced oil recovery.

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Flooding with Biopolymer from Microbes Derived from Mushroom and Cabbage to Enhance Sweep Efficiency in Enhanced Oil Recovery

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.1113.492 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 1113 ◽

pp. 492-497 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Effah Yahya ◽

Nur Hashimah Alias ◽

Tengku Amran Tengku Mohd ◽

Nurul Aimi Ghazali ◽

Tajnor Suriya binti Taju Ariffin

Keyword(s):

Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽

Oil Recovery ◽

Xanthan Gum ◽

Shake Flask ◽

Polymer Concentration ◽

Edible Mushroom ◽

Recovery Factor ◽

Distilled Water ◽

Sweep Efficiency ◽

Extraction And Purification

In this study, local isolated Xanthomonas campestries has been used from local cabbage for xanthan gum production via fermentation in shake flask. The product was then recovered with isopropanol and dried. Meanwhile, for extraction and purification of mushroom polysaccharide, we use dead edible mushroom has been used. Polysaccharide mushroom was extracted with NaOH solutions at 100 ͦ C for 24 hrs. Next, polysaccharide was precipitated separately by the addition of ethanol and the resulting polysaccharide extract were dissolved in distilled water. In the present study, different type of biopolymers was used in order to determine the oil recovery with different concentrations. Biopolymers used in this experiment are xanthan gum and mushroom polysaccharide. The properties of both biopolymers were tested for 3000 ppm and 10000 ppm of concentration. The results shown higher oil recovery factor obtained from the mushroom polysaccharide, which is 84.14%. Meanwhile, the highest recovery obtained by xanthan is about 67.44% only. As a conclusion, increasing polymer concentration will increase the oil recovery factor.

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Properties of Biodegradable Polymer from Terrestrial Mushroom for Potential Enhanced Oil Recovery

Indonesian Journal of Chemistry ◽

10.22146/ijc.52254 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 1382

Author(s):

Tengku Amran Tengku Mohd ◽

Shareena Fairuz Abdul Manaf ◽

Munawirah Abd Naim ◽

Muhammad Shafiq Mat Shayuti ◽

Mohd Zaidi Jaafar

Keyword(s):

Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽

Oil Recovery ◽

Biodegradable Polymer ◽

Polymer Concentration ◽

Polymer Flooding ◽

Mobility Control ◽

Sweep Efficiency ◽

Reservoir Conditions ◽

Infrared Spectrometer ◽

Original Oil In Place

Polymer flooding could enhance the oil recovery by increasing the viscosity of water, thus, improving the mobility control and sweep efficiency. It is essential to explore natural sources of polymer, which is biologically degradable and negligible to environmental risks. This research aims to produce a biodegradable polymer from terrestrial mushroom, analyze the properties of the polymer and investigate the oil recovery from polymer flooding. Polysaccharide biopolymer was extracted from mushroom and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), while the polymer viscosity was investigated using an automated microviscometer. The oil recovery tests were conducted at room temperature using a sand pack model. It was found that polymer viscosity increases with increasing polymer concentration and decreases when increase in temperature, salinity, and concentration of divalent ions. The oil recovery tests showed that a higher polymer concentration of 3000 ppm had recovered more oil with an incremental recovery of 25.8% after waterflooding, while a polymer concentration of 1500 pm obtained incremental 22.2% recovery of original oil in place (OOIP). The oil recovery from waterflooding was approximately 25.4 and 24.2% of the OOIP, respectively. Therefore, an environmentally friendly biopolymer was successfully extracted, which is potential for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) application, but it will lose its viscosity performance at certain reservoir conditions.

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Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Foam Stability Dependence on Nanoparticle Concentration for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.548-549.1876 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 548-549 ◽

pp. 1876-1880 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

T.A.T. Mohd ◽

A. H. M. Muhayyidin ◽

Nurul Aimi Ghazali ◽

M.Z. Shahruddin ◽

N. Alias ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽

Oil Recovery ◽

Foam Stability ◽

Foam Height ◽

Sweep Efficiency ◽

Low Viscosity ◽

Reservoir Conditions ◽

Foam Properties ◽

Foam Generator ◽

Foam Flooding

Foam flooding is an established approach in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) to recover a significant quantity of the residual oil left in the reservoir after primary and secondary recovery. However, foam flooding faces various problems due to low viscosity effect, which reduces its efficiency in recovering oil. Using surfactant to stabilize CO2foam may reduce mobility and improve areal and vertical sweep efficiency, but the potential weaknesses are such that high surfactant retention in porous media and unstable foam properties under high temperature reservoir conditions. Nanoparticles have higher adhesion energy to the fluid interface, which potentially stabilize longer lasting foams. Thus, this paper is aimed to investigate the CO2foam stability and mobility characteristics at different concentration of nanosilica, brine and surfactant. Foam generator has been used to generate CO2foam and analyze its stability under varying nanosilica concentration from 100 - 5000 ppm, while brine salinity and surfactant concentration ranging from 0 to 2.0 wt% NaCl and 0 – 10000 ppm, respectively. Foam stability was investigated through observation of the foam bubble size and the reduction of foam height inside the observation tube. The mobility was reduced as the concentration of nanosilica increased with the presence of surfactant. After 150 minutes of observation, the generated foam height reduced by 10%. Liquid with the presence of both silica nanoparticles and surfactant generated more stable foam with lower mobility. It can be concluded that the increase in concentration of nanosilica and addition of surfactant provided significant effects on the foam stability and mobility, which could enhance oil recovery.

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Role of chemical additives and their rheological properties in enhanced oil recovery

Reviews in Chemical Engineering ◽

10.1515/revce-2018-0033 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (7) ◽

pp. 789-830 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jinesh Machale ◽

Subrata Kumar Majumder ◽

Pallab Ghosh ◽

Tushar Kanti Sen

Keyword(s):

Rheological Properties ◽

Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽

Oil Recovery ◽

Oil Field ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Attractive Alternative ◽

Chemical Additives ◽

Sweep Efficiency ◽

Chemical Eor ◽

Natural Surfactants

AbstractA significant amount of oil (i.e. 60–70%) remains trapped in reservoirs after the conventional primary and secondary methods of oil recovery. Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods are therefore necessary to recover the major fraction of unrecovered trapped oil from reservoirs to meet the present-day energy demands. The chemical EOR method is one of the promising methods where various chemical additives, such as alkalis, surfactants, polymer, and the combination of all alkali–surfactant–polymer (ASP) or surfactant–polymer (SP) solutions, are injected into the reservoir to improve the displacement and sweep efficiency. Every oil field has different conditions, which imposes new challenges toward alternative but more effective EOR techniques. Among such attractive alternative additives are polymeric surfactants, natural surfactants, nanoparticles, and self-assembled polymer systems for EOR. In this paper, water-soluble chemical additives such as alkalis, surfactants, polymer, and ASP or SP solution for chemical EOR are highlighted. This review also discusses the concepts and techniques related to the chemical methods of EOR, and highlights the rheological properties of the chemicals involved in the efficiency of EOR methods.

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Thermally stable imidazoline-based sulfonate copolymers for enhanced oil recovery

RSC Advances ◽

10.1039/c5ra15434k ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (104) ◽

pp. 85165-85173 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Shaohua Gou ◽

Shan Luo ◽

Tongyi Liu ◽

Hong Xia ◽

Dong Jing ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thermal Stability ◽

High Temperature ◽

Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽

Oil Recovery ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Thermally Stable ◽

Excellent Thermal Stability

Novel water-soluble imidazoline-based sulfonate copolymers were synthesized; the copolymers possess excellent thermal stability and outstanding potential for application in high-temperature oil recovery.

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Biopolymer Solution Evaluation Methodology: Thermal and Mechanical Assessment for Enhanced Oil Recovery with High Salinity Brines

Processes ◽

10.3390/pr7060339 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 339 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mohammad Al-Saleh ◽

Abdirahman Yussuf ◽

Mohammad Jumaa ◽

Abbas Hammoud ◽

Tahani Al-Shammari

Keyword(s):

Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽

Oil Recovery ◽

High Salinity ◽

Evaluation Process ◽

Polymer Flooding ◽

Evaluation Methodology ◽

Sweep Efficiency ◽

Essential Properties ◽

Reservoir Conditions ◽

Strong Candidate

The methodology to study an eco-friendly and non-toxic, Schizophyllan, biopolymer for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) polymer flooding is described. The methodology is divided into two parts; the first part estimates the molar concentration of the biopolymer, which is needed to prepare the biopolymer solution with optimal viscosity. This is required to improve the sweep efficiency for the selected reservoir in Kuwait. The second part of this generalized methodology evaluates the biopolymer solution capability to resist degradation and maintain its essential properties with the selected reservoir conditions. The evaluation process includes thermal and mechanical assessment. Furthermore, to study the biopolymer solution behavior in both selected reservoir and extreme conditions, the biopolymer solution samples were prepared using 180 g/L and 309 g/L brine. It was found that the prepared biopolymer solution demonstrated great capability in maintaining its properties; and therefore, can be introduced as a strong candidate for EOR polymer flooding with high salinity brines.

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Parametric Study of Polymer-Nanoparticles-Assisted Injectivity Performance for Axisymmetric Two-Phase Flow in EOR Processes

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano10091818 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1818 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Afshin Davarpanah

Keyword(s):

Oil Recovery ◽

Polymer Concentration ◽

Extensive Study ◽

Recovery Factor ◽

Sweep Efficiency ◽

Forward Movement ◽

Two Phase ◽

Type Curves ◽

Wide Range ◽

Damage Coefficient

Among a wide range of enhanced oil-recovery techniques, polymer flooding has been selected by petroleum industries due to the simplicity and lower cost of operational performances. The reason for this selection is due to the mobility-reduction of the water phase, facilitating the forward-movement of oil. The objective of this comprehensive study is to develop a mathematical model for simultaneous injection of polymer-assisted nanoparticles migration to calculate an oil-recovery factor. Then, a sensitivity analysis is provided to consider the significant influence of formation rheological characteristics as type curves. To achieve this, we concentrated on the driving mathematical equations for the recovery factor and compare each parameter significantly to nurture the differences explicitly. Consequently, due to the results of this extensive study, it is evident that a higher value of mobility ratio, higher polymer concentration and higher formation-damage coefficient leads to a higher recovery factor. The reason for this is that the external filter cake is being made in this period and the subsequent injection of polymer solution administered a higher sweep efficiency and higher recovery factor.

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Study of Enhanced Oil Recovery and Adsorption Using Glycerol in Surfactant Solution

Energies ◽

10.3390/en13123135 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 3135

Author(s):

Fabiola D. S. Curbelo ◽

Alfredo Ismael C. Garnica ◽

Danilo F. Q. Leite ◽

Amanda B. Carvalho ◽

Raphael R. Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Interfacial Tension ◽

Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽

Oil Recovery ◽

Coconut Oil ◽

Surfactant Solution ◽

Recovery Factor ◽

Sweep Efficiency ◽

Brine Solution ◽

Flow Through ◽

Over Time

Over time, oil production in a reservoir tends to decrease, which makes it difficult to flow through the reservoir to the well, making its production increasingly difficult and costly. Due to their physical properties, such as reducing the water/oil interfacial tension, surfactants have been used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes, however, their adsorption presents as an undesirable and inevitable factor and can decrease the efficiency of the method. This work’s main objective is to evaluate the effect of glycerol in the adsorption of surfactants in sandstones, as well as in the recovery factor during EOR. Brine solutions containing the nonionic surfactant saponified coconut oil (SCO), with and without glycerol, were used in the adsorption and oil recovery tests in sandstone. Adsorption, recovery, rheological, and thermogravimetric analysis were carried out. Regarding the surfactant/glycerol/brine solution, there was an improvement in the oil mobility, as the glycerol contributed to an increase in the viscosity of the solution, thereby increasing the sweep efficiency. The recovery factor obtained for the surfactant solution with glycerol was satisfactory, being 53% higher than without glycerol, because it simultaneously provided an increase in viscosity and a decrease in interfacial tension, both of which are beneficial for the efficiency of the process.

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Improvement of oil field development using enhanced oil recovery methods

Naukovyi Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu ◽

10.33271/nvngu/2021-6/023 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 23-28

Author(s):

G Moldabayeva ◽

R Suleimenova ◽

N Buktukov ◽

M Mergenov

Keyword(s):

Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽

Oil Recovery ◽

Water Injection ◽

Oil Field ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Sweep Efficiency ◽

Conformance Control ◽

Water Soluble Polymer ◽

Field Development ◽

Water Cut

Purpose. To develop a technology to increase the oil recovery of formations using injection of polymer compositions. Methodology. For this study, practical methods were used such as enhanced oil recovery using stimulating technologies, technology using polymer systems based on a water-soluble polymer acrylamide, and emulsion-polymer technology. To achieve the conformance control, which was a prerequisite for testing, a thorough selection of wells was carried out, as well as an analysis of their hydrodynamic connection. Findings. As a result of using the method for limiting water inflows in the development of oil-bearing formations, redistribution of filtration channels, and a decrease in the production of fossil water as well as stabilisation of water cut were achieved. Originality. The scientific novelty of the study is the withdrawal of wells that are able to redistribute the volume of water injection at perforation intervals. Increased sweep efficiency and pressure at the wellhead at the beginning and at the end of the conformance control indicate a decrease in the conductivity of high-permeability formation intervals. Practical value. Application of the proposed technology for limiting water inflows will make it possible to develop low-permeability interlayers with filtration flows. The wells brought to a stable production rate during the study will ensure a decrease in formation water production and the water cut of the produced products, as well as stabilisation of the water cut over a certain period.

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Research progress of viscoelastic surfactants for enhanced oil recovery

Energy Exploration & Exploitation ◽

10.1177/0144598720980209 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 014459872098020

Author(s):

Ruizhi Hu ◽

Shanfa Tang ◽

Musa Mpelwa ◽

Zhaowen Jiang ◽

Shuyun Feng

Keyword(s):

Enhanced Oil Recovery ◽

Oil Recovery ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Research Progress ◽

Surfactant Flooding ◽

Sweep Efficiency ◽

The World ◽

Washing Efficiency ◽

Viscoelastic Surfactants ◽

Viscoelastic Surfactant

Although new energy has been widely used in our lives, oil is still one of the main energy sources in the world. After the application of traditional oil recovery methods, there are still a large number of oil layers that have not been exploited, and there is still a need to further increase oil recovery to meet the urgent need for oil in the world economic development. Chemically enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) is considered to be a kind of effective enhanced oil recovery technology, which has achieved good results in the field, but these technologies cannot simultaneously effectively improve oil sweep efficiency, oil washing efficiency, good injectability, and reservoir environment adaptability. Viscoelastic surfactants (VES) have unique micelle structure and aggregation behavior, high efficiency in reducing the interfacial tension of oil and water, and the most important and unique viscoelasticity, etc., which has attracted the attention of academics and field experts and introduced into the technical research of enhanced oil recovery. In this paper, the mechanism and research status of viscoelastic surfactant flooding are discussed in detail and focused, and the results of viscoelastic surfactant flooding experiments under different conditions are summarized. Finally, the problems to be solved by viscoelastic surfactant flooding are introduced, and the countermeasures to solve the problems are put forward. This overview presents extensive information about viscoelastic surfactant flooding used for EOR, and is intended to help researchers and professionals in this field understand the current situation.

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