Using New Synthesis Zirconia-Based Nanocomposites for Improving Water Alternative Associated Gas Tests Considering Interfacial Tension and Contact Angle Measurements

Abstract

The use of nanoparticles is a known solution for challenges related to enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods, and nanoparticles have good potential for changing effective mechanisms, such as wettability alteration and interfacial tension (IFT) reduction. On the basis of our last research, it was observed that using associated gas in a water alternative gas (WAG) method has a high recovery potential in comparison to other gases, such as CO 2 and N 2 , in carbonate reservoirs. In this study, zeolite−zirconia−cerium oxide nanocomposites (NCs) with an average size of 29.15 nm have been synthesized by the sol−gel method for improving water alternative associated gas tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer−Emmett−Teller (BET), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), IFT, contact angle, WAG, and nano-assisted WAG tests were designed in the presence of NCs. The XRD and EDX patterns confirmed the formation of CeO 2 and ZrO 2 nanoparticles over the formed zeolite framework. SEM images show that the zirconia−cerium particles are uniformly distributed at the surface of zeolite. Moreover, BET analysis shows that the specific surface area of the NCs is 331.67 m 2 /g as a result of introducing ZrO 2 and CeO 2 . The IFT and contact angle values of nanofluids prepared with concentrations of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 ppm of the NCs were determined as 22 mN/m and 116°, 19.50 mN/ m and 86°, 17.30 mN/m and 70°, 12.50 mN/m and 42°, 8.60 mN/m and 36°, and 6.80 mN/m and 38°, respectively. On the basis of these values and ζ potential, viscosity, pH, and density tests in the presence of NCs, 100 ppm was selected as an optimum concentration for improving WAG tests. It was observed that considering the above factors was efficient and the recovery factor during performing NC-assisted WAG test was increased from 42.5 to 72% at a constant WAG ratio and temperature of 1:1 and 40 °C, respectively. Moreover, more instant oil and lower produced water were observed during performing a NC-assisted WAG test at an optimum concentration of 100 ppm.

A new insight on relative permeability modifier as conformance control in carbonate reservoir

“…They are commonly used in various applications, including industrial catalysts in the petrochemical industry for acid-catalyzed reactions, molecular sieves, and ion exchange systems [69], [70]. Zeolites' porous properties and chemical composition are highly utilized in diverse industrial applications, including petroleum refining, petrochemicals, and natural gas treatment [71], [72]. Using zeolites for conformance control is attractive because they are highly selective and have low permeability, making them effective at reducing the flow of unwanted fluids.…”

Experimental Core Flooding Investigation of New ZnO−γAl2O3 Nanocomposites for Enhanced Oil Recovery in Carbonate Reservoirs

“…In some research, chemical-enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) methods have been used to solve this problem by providing mechanisms such as interfacial tension (IFT) reduction and wettability alteration (WA). − Nanotechnology in the oil industry has significant capacity and potential in oil reservoirs to meet growing energy needs. Nanoparticles in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes in oil reservoirs are an emerging technique, and their impact on oil reservoirs is increasing rapidly. − The use of nanoparticles can be promising in many fields. − Several nanoparticles (such as Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 ) have been studied in EOR, and some nanoparticles have shown acceptable potential in EOR processes. − Recently, ZnO nanoparticles have been able to help oil production by various mechanisms to reduce oil viscosity and change wettability. − However, the reported results regarding using ZnO in the direction of IFT are still controversial. In this regard, some studies claim that ZnO nanoparticles increase the IFT, and, on the other hand, some reports claim that ZnO reduces IFT .…”

“…Nanoparticles in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes in oil reservoirs are an emerging technique, and their impact on oil reservoirs is increasing rapidly. 12 − 19 The use of nanoparticles can be promising in many fields. 20 − 23 Several nanoparticles (such as Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 ) have been studied in EOR, and some nanoparticles have shown acceptable potential in EOR processes.…”

Improving Simultaneous Water Alternative Associate Gas Tests in the Presence of Newly Synthesized γ-Al2O3/ZnO/Urea Nano-Composites: An Experimental Core Flooding Tests

“…It was found that ZrO 2 nano-particles have a great application in EOR. Based on the results, nano-assisted water-alternative associated gas test in the presence of nano-composites [zeolite–zirconia­(ZrO 2 )–cerium oxide­(CeO 2 )] increased tertiary oil recovery increased up to 29% . In other work, Alomair et al used ZrO 2 , TiO 2 , Fe 2 O 3 , and ZnO nano-particles for EOR.…”

“…Based on the results, nano-assisted water-alternative associated gas test in the presence of nano-composites [zeolite–zirconia(ZrO 2 )–cerium oxide(CeO 2 )] increased tertiary oil recovery increased up to 29%. 24 In other work, Alomair et al 25 used ZrO 2 , TiO 2 , Fe 2 O 3 , and ZnO nano-particles for EOR. It was observed that oil recovery (in the presence of ZrO 2 nano-particles) was improved by up to 68%.…”