Synergistic Effects of Weak Alkaline–Surfactant–Polymer and SiO₂ Nanoparticles Flooding on Enhanced Heavy Oil Recovery

Abstract

The alkaline–surfactant–polymer (ASP) enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a promising tertiary oil recovery technique for maximizing oil production. However, strong alkaline (e.g., NaOH) or high concentration of an alkali may cause new problems, such as formation erosion, alkali deposition, and high production costs. In this study, a new EOR method was proposed by combining a traditional weak alkaline (Na2CO3) ASP flooding and nanotechnology. We investigated the synergistic effects of weak alkaline ASP chemicals and SiO2 nanoparticles on the EOR through comprehensive experiments. The efficacy of the mixtures was examined using a framework including interfacial tension and wettability characterizations, flow visualization experiments of emulsion, and oil recovery tests under reservoir temperature conditions. Moreover, the effects of weak alkaline ASP chemicals and SiO2 nanoparticles on interfacial properties and the EOR were carefully investigated by a comprehensive analysis. The experimental results show that the ASP + SiO2 nanoparticles mixture has a greater ability to reduce the interfacial tension (IFT) between oil and water as well as their contact angle, compared with a hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM)/ASP-only solution. The ASP + SiO2 nanoparticles mixture is better than the HPAM/ASP-only solution in profile control and displacement efficiency after water flooding. The SiO2 NPs/ASP mixture increases the oil recovery by 6.67% of original oil in place (OOIP), compared to the ASP-only solution. In visualization flooding experiments, the ASP + SiO2 nanoparticles mixture forms strong viscoelastic, thermodynamic, and kinetic stability of the droplets, thereby resulting in a larger sweep efficiency and better displacement efficiency by the stable blocking effects and strong scratch effect. It indicates that this new method can enhance oil recovery, have potential to reduce chemical agent cost, and avoid probable formation erosion and alkali deposition.

Microvisual Investigation on Steam-Assisted Heavy Oil Extraction Behavior in Heterogeneous Porous Media

“…Step 7 : To analyze the distribution of oil-brine, the microscopic images were further processed to obtain the sweep efficiency. Based on the recognition of various fluids and rock-occupied regions by Python Opencv2, the horizontal sweep efficiency can be accurately converted to a pixel value for calculation as shown in eq : , E sh = P X ( o ) P X ( o ) + P X ( w ) × 100 % where E sh is the horizontal sweep efficiency, PX (o) is the oil phase pixel, and PX (w) is the water phase pixel. Step 8 : The images from the microfluidic model were utilized to examine the horizontal sweep efficiency of various injection velocities.…”

“…Step 7: To analyze the distribution of oil-brine, the microscopic images were further processed to obtain the sweep efficiency. Based on the recognition of various fluids and rock-occupied regions by Python Opencv2, the horizontal sweep efficiency can be accurately converted to a pixel value for calculation as shown in eq 2: 29,30…”

Synthesis and Evaluation of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle and its Application in Chemical Enhanced oil Recovery

“…Nanotechnology is distinguished mainly by the involvement and cooperation of numerous disciplines, which makes the technology more accurate than previous technologies. Therefore, nanoparticle injection, either alone or in combination with additional compounds, provides significant potential for overcoming the obstacles posed by standard EOR procedures [1] . Because of the large surface area of nanoparticles, their characteristics differ from those seen in bulk materials.…”

Effect of Amphiphilic CaCO3 Nanoparticles on the Plant Surfactant Saponin Solution on the Oil–Water Interface: A Feasibility Research of Enhanced Oil Recovery

“…Compared to no addition of SiO 2 nanoparticles, the addition of SiO 2 nanoparticles in the ASP system increased the oil recovery rate by 6.67%. 35 Zhao et al found that Ag−TiO 2 nanoparticles were added to the ecofriendly sugar-based anionic nonionic surfactant (GDA) solution to obtain an efficient oil displacement agent, which can be used to flood oil in the formation and significantly increase oil recovery by 18%. 36 Asl et al found that after the addition of nano-SiO 2 , the values of IFT and contact angle of surfactants reduced by 58 and 66%, respectively.…”

“…Wang et al found that addition of the SiO 2 nanoparticles into the alkaline–surfactant–polymer (ASP) system increased the viscoelasticity of the oil–water interface. Compared to no addition of SiO 2 nanoparticles, the addition of SiO 2 nanoparticles in the ASP system increased the oil recovery rate by 6.67% . Zhao et al found that Ag–TiO 2 nanoparticles were added to the eco-friendly sugar-based anionic nonionic surfactant (GDA) solution to obtain an efficient oil displacement agent, which can be used to flood oil in the formation and significantly increase oil recovery by 18% .…”