Natural Surfactants from Venezuelan Extra Heavy Crude Oil - Study of Interfacial and Structural Properties

Borges, Belsay

doi:10.5772/36108

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

(12 reference statements)

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“…The generation of emulsions − is commonly observed during the application of EOR methods as shown in Figure . Figure shows an example of a microscopic image of a stable water-in-oil emulsion of a dead oil sample (cold production) with 6% wt of water from the FPO .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workflow of the In Situ Combustion EOR Method in Venezuela: Challenges and Opportunities

Rodriguez¹,

Llamedo

Belhaj

et al. 2023

ACS Omega

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In situ combustion (ISC) is one of the oldest thermal enhanced oil recovery methods to have been applied in Venezuela to increase the production of highly viscous crude oils, with a first field application in 1959 in the Tia Juana Field-Lake Maracaibo Basin. This method, which is characterized by high energy efficiency, consists of injecting air into the reservoir where exothermic oxidation reactions initiate to increase the mobility of the oil. Compared to other thermal enhanced oil recovery methods such as steam injection, ISC has a lower environmental impact in terms of water and fuel consumption, and emission of gases as the produced gases can be reinjected or stored. Several ISC projects have been carried out in Venezuela in Tia Juana, Morichal, Miga, and Melones fields. Although the technical results have been satisfactory in terms of viscosity reduction and improved crude oil properties (such as °API), other important aspects of project evaluations have not been convincing due to the following factors: high temperatures in producing wells, acid gases management, generation of complex emulsions, corrosion, and high CAPEX and OPEX costs. Nevertheless, additional research work has been conducted on process optimization, using catalysts and hydrogen donors, to better address these other factors. Due to the great need to increase hydrocarbon production in Venezuela and to the advantages of ISC as an upgrading technique where low-carbon fuels and hydrogen as byproducts are generated, this paper presents a revisit of ISC projects in Venezuela from R&D technical aspects to field applications. It seeks to identify the main insights regarding the success and failure of the evaluated projects and make substantiated recommendations in the case of future applications of this technology.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workflow of the In Situ Combustion EOR Method in Venezuela: Challenges and Opportunities

Rodriguez¹,

Llamedo

Belhaj

et al. 2023

ACS Omega

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“…Often, these water-in-oil emulsions are undesirable since they can cause several problems including: production of an off-specifications crude oil (high solids and water content, >0.5%); corrosion and catalyst poisoning in pipes and equipment for water settling; and environmental issues when oil spills occur in rivers and oceans [10]. Often, these water-in-oil emulsions are undesirable since they can cause several problems including: production of an off-specifications crude oil (high solids and water content, >0.5%); corrosion and catalyst poisoning in pipes and equipment for water settling; and environmental issues when oil spills occur in rivers and oceans [10].…”

Section: Spectroscopy Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

An Investigation on Factors Influencing In-Situ Emulsion Stability

et al. 2014

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An oil sample, collected from the wellhead of a shallow sandstone reservoir, was identified as a very stable crude oil emulsion. This micro-emulsion type crude could not be separated in field separation facilities by gravity settling alone. The emulsion was so stable that it required either a high speed centrifuge or high doses of emulsion breaker to be demulsified. Hence, from the perspective of field operational cost, it is critical to further investigate the potential factors that have contributed to the stability of the crude oil emulsions.The field of interest has been producing for over 30 years and its reservoir pressure has dropped below the original bubble point pressure. All the wells in the field are gas lifted to enhance well productivity. Due to the unconsolidated nature of the reservoir rock, fines migration is one of contributing factors to formation damage. The reservoir crude was identified as biodegraded with missing of intermediate components from the reservoir fluid composition. As such, a structured bottom-hole sampling program was developed and bottom-hole samples were collected below gas lift mandrels while the gas lift was shut-in to thoroughly investigate the contributing factors to the formation of the crude emulsions and to identify the in-situ status of the crude.Potential factors which could contribute to the formation of stable crude oil emulsions include 1) mixing of two or more incompatible crudes; 2) emulsifying agents including surface active materials (asphaltenes and resins, organic acids and bases, injected surfactants or oilfield chemicals) and finely divided solids (clay particles, sands, asphaltenes, wax, scale etc.). This study has investigated several potential contributing factors related to formation of the stable crude emulsions. It was concluded that naturally occurring fines could be the major contributing factor for the formation of the observed stable crude emulsion from the reservoir under study. Effect of gas lift on formation of the crude emulsion was found very minimal since the crude was at emulsion state even at reservoir depth.

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Natural Surfactants from Venezuelan Extra Heavy Crude Oil - Study of Interfacial and Structural Properties

Cited by 2 publications

References 13 publications

Workflow of the In Situ Combustion EOR Method in Venezuela: Challenges and Opportunities

Workflow of the In Situ Combustion EOR Method in Venezuela: Challenges and Opportunities

An Investigation on Factors Influencing In-Situ Emulsion Stability

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