Novel surfactants for ultralow interfacial tension in a wide range of surfactant concentration and temperature

Abstract

This work investigates the possibility of injecting dilute aqueous solutions of novel surfactants into the Yibal field (Sultanate of Oman). This was accomplished through an experimental protocol based on the following criteria: (i) compatibility of the surfactants with the high-saline reservoir water (~200 g/L); (ii) low interfacial tension (IFT) between crude oil and reservoir water (less than 10 -2 mN m -1 ); and (iii) maintaining the low IFT behavior during the entire surfactant flooding. Novel surfactants selected in this study consist of a series of ether sulfonates and an amphoteric surfactant (6-105). These surfactants were found to be compatible with reservoir water up to 0.1% surfactant concentration, whereas 6-105 and 7-58 showed compatibility within the full range of surfactant concentration investigated (0.001-0.5%). All surfactant systems displayed dynamic IFT behavior, in which ultralow transient minima were observed in the range 10 -4 -10 -3 mN m -1 , followed by an increase in the IFT to equilibrium values in the range 10 -3 -10 -1 mN m -1 . The results also showed that with respect to concentration (0.05-0.5 %) and temperature (45-80°C), AES-205 and 7-58 surfactants exhibit a wide range of applicability, with the IFT remaining below 10 -2 mN m -1 , as required for substantial residual oil recovery. In addition, ultralow IFT were obtained at surfactant concentrations as low as 0.001%, making the use of these surfactants in enhanced oil recovery extremely cost-effective.Paper no. S1524 in JSD 9, 287-293 (Qtr. 3, 2006). KEY WORDS: Compatibility, dynamic interfacial tension, surfactants, ultralow transient interfacial tension.Approximately 60% of the original oil in place (OOIP) will remain in an average oil reservoir after primary and secondary (water flooding in most cases) production. The residual oil is trapped in the reservoir pore structures by capillary forces and cannot be recovered by conventional means. Among the non-conventional techniques (known as enhanced oil recovery [EOR]) used to enhance oil production, surfactant flooding is one of the most appealing methods to enhance oil recovery from depleted reservoirs. In this technique, surfactants are added to the oil/water system to reduce the interfacial tension (IFT) from about 20-30 mN m -1 to less than 10 -2 mN m -1 (1,2). This seems to be a very simple method for recovering residual oil from reservoirs. However, from a technical point of view, there are some adverse conditions that prevent this technique from being successful in the field. The environment of an oil reservoir is often such that surfactants cannot generate this considerable reduction in surface tension as simply as described. One crucial aspect is that the water in these reservoirs is very salty (up to 200 g/L)-salinities above the solubility limits of most conventional surfactants used in EOR. Clearly, the compatibility of surfactants with reservoir brine is essential to avoid plugging of the porous medium, especially in reservoirs of low permeability. The other importa...

A review on applications of nanotechnology in the enhanced oil recovery part A: effects of nanoparticles on interfacial tension

“…However, such surfactants are expensive. The use of a hydrophilic surfactant mixed with a relatively lipophilic surfactant or a new surfactant was also investigated [73][74][75]. However, studies on SP flooding only focused on the screening and evaluation of the polymer and surfactant and their interaction.…”

Injection of biosurfactant and chemical surfactant following hot water injection to enhance heavy oil recovery

“…A more recent study reported that the price of biosurfactants ranges between US$ 2 and 3 per kg (Hazra et al 2011). It was reported that the reduction in interfacial tension (IFT) by the surfactants has to be ultra low, where the IFT values should be in the range of 10 3 mN/m, to enhance oil recovery by increasing the capillary number (Aoudia et al 2006;Curbelo et al 2007;Zhu et al 2009;Iglauer et al 2010;Lu et al 2014a, c, d). Although the minimum IFT value obtained by the biosurfactant in this study is not ultra low, other recovery mechanisms are expected to take place.…”

Effect of viscosity and interfacial tension of surfactant–polymer flooding on oil recovery in high-temperature and high-salinity reservoirs

“…However, such surfactants are expensive. The use of a hydrophilic surfactant mixed with a relatively lipophilic surfactant or a new surfactant was also investigated (Rosen et al 2005;Aoudia et al 2006;Cui et al 2012). However, studies on SP flooding only focused on the screening and evaluation of the polymer and surfactant and their interaction.…”