Nanofluids Application for Heavy Oil Recovery

Abstract

The application of nanotechnology in the oil industry has become a useful approach in oil production. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effects of nanofluids on the recovery of heavy crude oil compared to water flooding. The nanofluids are prepared by the addition of pure and mixed nanoparticles; Silicon oxide, Aluminum oxide, Nickel oxide, and Titanium oxide at different concentrations to the saline water. The prepared nanofluids were screened to determine the suitable type for the heavy oil and rock samples subjected to the study. The effects of nanofluids on the interfacial tension and emulsion viscosity were also investigated. Nanofluids flooding tests were performed on heavy oil sample of 17.45 API using Berea Sandstone core samples with an average air permeability of 184 mD, a liquid permeability of 60 mD, and a porosity of 20%. After selecting the recommended type of nanofluid, additional tests were performed including the effects on asphaltene precipitation using a flow assurance system. The experimental results show that, the Aluminum oxide nanofluid at a concentration of 0.05 wt.% reduced the emulsion viscosity by 25%. The mixed nanofluid of Silicon and Aluminum oxide at 0.05 wt.% showed the highest incremental oil recovery among the other nanofluids. This nanofluid is expected to be the best type of chemical flooding due to its performance under reservoir condition (high pressure, temperature, and water salinity) and its capability to oppose asphaltene precipitation.

Application of Nanoparticles in Enhanced Oil Recovery: A Critical Review of Recent Progress

“…Finally, this review identifies the challenges and opportunities for future study regarding application of nanoparticles in EOR processes. [16].…”

“…Therefore, SiO2 nanofluid had the potential to produce more oil from reservoirs. Alomair et al [16] furthered to compare the ability of three NPs (Al2O3, SiO2 and NiO) to reduce IFT between the crude oil and nanofluids. They found that the SiO2 NPs resulted in the lowest IFT value and NiO had the lowest reduction on IFT.…”

“…Commonly used NPs, such as SiO 2 , TiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 , are in the order of 1 nm-100 nm (Figure 2), which is smaller compared to pore and throat sizes [16]. Thus, they can easily flow through porous media without severe permeability reduction and becoming trapped which increases the EOR effectivity of the injection fluids.…”

Mixed Finite Element Formulation for Magnetic Fluid Oil Flow in Electromagnetic Field

“…There are three extraction phases categorised as primary, secondary and tertiary recovery. Primary and secondary recovery uses conventional methods such as thermal heating, water flooding and carbon dioxide injection [1]. Because of the highly viscous properties of the crude oil flowing after the secondary recovery phase, the mobility of the fluid is greatly reduced and thus requires alternative treatment.…”

“…Nanofluid is a synthesized fluid, which exhibit superiors heat transfer performance and high adaptability in various oil and gas operations [1,2]. Ferrofluid, a type of nanofluids, is made up of non-magnetic bases fluids and dispersed iron nanoparticle of diameter lesser than 100 nm with a surfactant layer coat.…”