WO2022036360A1 - Fluoropolymers to reduce retention of nanosurfactants to carbonate reservoir rock for applications in oil fields - Google Patents
Fluoropolymers to reduce retention of nanosurfactants to carbonate reservoir rock for applications in oil fields Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2022036360A1 WO2022036360A1 PCT/US2021/071155 US2021071155W WO2022036360A1 WO 2022036360 A1 WO2022036360 A1 WO 2022036360A1 US 2021071155 W US2021071155 W US 2021071155W WO 2022036360 A1 WO2022036360 A1 WO 2022036360A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- surfactant
- zwitterionic
- nanosurfactant
- mixture
- sulfonate
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 title claims description 45
- BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Carbonate Chemical compound [O-]C([O-])=O BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 title claims description 12
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 title description 12
- 239000004811 fluoropolymer Substances 0.000 title description 2
- 229920002313 fluoropolymer Polymers 0.000 title description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 311
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 311
- BDHFUVZGWQCTTF-UHFFFAOYSA-M sulfonate Chemical compound [O-]S(=O)=O BDHFUVZGWQCTTF-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 144
- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 99
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 84
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 66
- 239000002480 mineral oil Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 235000010446 mineral oil Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 claims abstract description 47
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 42
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 37
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 claims description 101
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 80
- 229910001868 water Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 61
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 53
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical group 0.000 claims description 46
- FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium chloride Chemical compound [Na+].[Cl-] FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 34
- 239000011780 sodium chloride Substances 0.000 claims description 33
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 claims description 32
- 150000001768 cations Chemical class 0.000 claims description 31
- OSSNTDFYBPYIEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-ethenylimidazole Chemical compound C=CN1C=CN=C1 OSSNTDFYBPYIEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 24
- IXOCGRPBILEGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-[3-(dodecanoylamino)propyl-dimethylazaniumyl]-2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonate Chemical group CCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)NCCC[N+](C)(C)CC(O)CS([O-])(=O)=O IXOCGRPBILEGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 18
- 125000000524 functional group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000004064 cosurfactant Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 150000008052 alkyl sulfonates Chemical class 0.000 claims description 13
- PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Styrene Chemical compound C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- JLBJTVDPSNHSKJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-Methylstyrene Chemical compound CC1=CC=C(C=C)C=C1 JLBJTVDPSNHSKJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 10
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- CEWDRCQPGANDRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-ethenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene Chemical compound FC(F)(F)C1=CC=C(C=C)C=C1 CEWDRCQPGANDRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 150000008055 alkyl aryl sulfonates Chemical class 0.000 claims description 8
- 125000001183 hydrocarbyl group Chemical group 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 description 64
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 50
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 42
- 239000002105 nanoparticle Substances 0.000 description 40
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 33
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 33
- 150000003871 sulfonates Chemical class 0.000 description 30
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 24
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 23
- 239000010779 crude oil Substances 0.000 description 22
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-ZSJDYOACSA-N Heavy water Chemical compound [2H]O[2H] XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-ZSJDYOACSA-N 0.000 description 20
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 20
- 238000001179 sorption measurement Methods 0.000 description 20
- 239000008367 deionised water Substances 0.000 description 19
- 229910021641 deionized water Inorganic materials 0.000 description 19
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 18
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 18
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 17
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 14
- -1 sodium sulfonates Chemical class 0.000 description 13
- 238000000655 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum Methods 0.000 description 12
- 239000002888 zwitterionic surfactant Substances 0.000 description 12
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 11
- 239000012071 phase Substances 0.000 description 11
- 239000006228 supernatant Substances 0.000 description 11
- 238000005481 NMR spectroscopy Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 10
- 230000001965 increasing effect Effects 0.000 description 10
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 10
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methanol Chemical compound OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000010790 dilution Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000012895 dilution Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 description 9
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 9
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 8
- 235000019738 Limestone Nutrition 0.000 description 7
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 7
- RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N ether Substances CCOCC RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 239000006028 limestone Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000002244 precipitate Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000004480 active ingredient Substances 0.000 description 6
- KWIUHFFTVRNATP-UHFFFAOYSA-N glycine betaine Chemical compound C[N+](C)(C)CC([O-])=O KWIUHFFTVRNATP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- RAXXELZNTBOGNW-UHFFFAOYSA-N imidazole Natural products C1=CNC=N1 RAXXELZNTBOGNW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000002829 reductive effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 6
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 description 5
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 230000000875 corresponding effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000004090 dissolution Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 5
- OZAIFHULBGXAKX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(2-cyanopropan-2-yldiazenyl)-2-methylpropanenitrile Chemical compound N#CC(C)(C)N=NC(C)(C)C#N OZAIFHULBGXAKX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- IAZDPXIOMUYVGZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dimethylsulphoxide Chemical compound CS(C)=O IAZDPXIOMUYVGZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000000604 cryogenic transmission electron microscopy Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 4
- 125000001153 fluoro group Chemical group F* 0.000 description 4
- 125000002883 imidazolyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 4
- 238000011534 incubation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000011550 stock solution Substances 0.000 description 4
- 150000008054 sulfonate salts Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 0 C*C1CCCC1 Chemical compound C*C1CCCC1 0.000 description 3
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- OFOBLEOULBTSOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propanedioic acid Natural products OC(=O)CC(O)=O OFOBLEOULBTSOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 125000001931 aliphatic group Chemical group 0.000 description 3
- 125000005250 alkyl acrylate group Chemical group 0.000 description 3
- 125000000217 alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 3
- 125000000129 anionic group Chemical group 0.000 description 3
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229960003237 betaine Drugs 0.000 description 3
- 125000002091 cationic group Chemical group 0.000 description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000007717 exclusion Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- VZCYOOQTPOCHFL-UPHRSURJSA-N maleic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)\C=C/C(O)=O VZCYOOQTPOCHFL-UPHRSURJSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000011976 maleic acid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005191 phase separation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- VZCYOOQTPOCHFL-UHFFFAOYSA-N trans-butenedioic acid Natural products OC(=O)C=CC(O)=O VZCYOOQTPOCHFL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- ZCYVEMRRCGMTRW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 7553-56-2 Chemical compound [I] ZCYVEMRRCGMTRW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetone Chemical compound CC(C)=O CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- WKBOTKDWSSQWDR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Bromine atom Chemical compound [Br] WKBOTKDWSSQWDR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chlorine atom Chemical compound [Cl] ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- HEDRZPFGACZZDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chloroform Chemical compound ClC(Cl)Cl HEDRZPFGACZZDS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PXGOKWXKJXAPGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine Chemical compound FF PXGOKWXKJXAPGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Potassium Chemical compound [K] ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004809 Teflon Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920006362 Teflon® Polymers 0.000 description 2
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-M acrylate group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)[O-] NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- 230000002776 aggregation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004220 aggregation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000008346 aqueous phase Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 125000003118 aryl group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 description 2
- GDTBXPJZTBHREO-UHFFFAOYSA-N bromine Substances BrBr GDTBXPJZTBHREO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052794 bromium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 150000004649 carbonic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000000460 chlorine Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052801 chlorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000002591 computed tomography Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000013068 control sample Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000002296 dynamic light scattering Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 2
- 125000005843 halogen group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical group [H]* 0.000 description 2
- 239000011630 iodine Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052740 iodine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000693 micelle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011591 potassium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052700 potassium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000001556 precipitation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002243 precursor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011541 reaction mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012266 salt solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;chloride;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Na+].[Cl-] HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- 238000013112 stability test Methods 0.000 description 2
- 125000003011 styrenyl group Chemical group [H]\C(*)=C(/[H])C1=C([H])C([H])=C([H])C([H])=C1[H] 0.000 description 2
- 125000000391 vinyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])=C([H])[H] 0.000 description 2
- 239000004711 α-olefin Substances 0.000 description 2
- FSSPGSAQUIYDCN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,3-Propane sultone Chemical compound O=S1(=O)CCCO1 FSSPGSAQUIYDCN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- DDLBHIIDBLGOTE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonic acid Chemical compound ClCC(O)CS(O)(=O)=O DDLBHIIDBLGOTE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000607305 Arctica Species 0.000 description 1
- LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-M Bisulfite Chemical compound OS([O-])=O LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- YYGCYCQUYDGXBQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N C1C2=C1CC=CC2 Chemical compound C1C2=C1CC=CC2 YYGCYCQUYDGXBQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- WNJCYXDZJXOFJA-UHFFFAOYSA-N CC1=C=CCC=C1 Chemical compound CC1=C=CCC=C1 WNJCYXDZJXOFJA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- GDOPTJXRTPNYNR-UHFFFAOYSA-N CC1CCCC1 Chemical compound CC1CCCC1 GDOPTJXRTPNYNR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- USSPHSVODLAWSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N CCC(C)N(C)C Chemical compound CCC(C)N(C)C USSPHSVODLAWSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- UOIWOHLIGKIYFE-UHFFFAOYSA-N CCCCCNC Chemical compound CCCCCNC UOIWOHLIGKIYFE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OTMSDBZUPAUEDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethane Chemical compound CC OTMSDBZUPAUEDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- QGCUAFIULMNFPJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Myristamidopropyl betaine Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)NCCC[N+](C)(C)CC([O-])=O QGCUAFIULMNFPJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical group OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004931 aggregating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000002877 alkyl aryl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 229940045714 alkyl sulfonate alkylating agent Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 125000005227 alkyl sulfonate group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 150000001412 amines Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000002280 amphoteric surfactant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007900 aqueous suspension Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 1
- MRUAUOIMASANKQ-UHFFFAOYSA-O carboxymethyl-[3-(dodecanoylamino)propyl]-dimethylazanium Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)NCCC[N+](C)(C)CC(O)=O MRUAUOIMASANKQ-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002596 correlated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001186 cumulative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000004985 diamines Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001493 electron microscopy Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011067 equilibration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000001495 ethyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 230000005284 excitation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012467 final product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000003709 fluoroalkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000008233 hard water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007062 hydrolysis Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006460 hydrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000002887 hydroxy group Chemical group [H]O* 0.000 description 1
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005213 imbibition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002563 ionic surfactant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000001449 isopropyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])(*)C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 238000002372 labelling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229940075468 lauramidopropyl betaine Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000002496 methyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 239000011259 mixed solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007908 nanoemulsion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000001208 nuclear magnetic resonance pulse sequence Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012466 permeate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002401 polyacrylamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011002 quantification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 description 1
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000012798 spherical particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009987 spinning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006641 stabilisation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011105 stabilization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010561 standard procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012086 standard solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000001273 sulfonato group Chemical group [O-]S(*)(=O)=O 0.000 description 1
- 239000013595 supernatant sample Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005320 surfactant adsorption Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000000999 tert-butyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C(*)(C([H])([H])[H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 230000009466 transformation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004627 transmission electron microscopy Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002554 vinyl polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000011179 visual inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012800 visualization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229940071104 xylenesulfonate Drugs 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
- C09K8/58—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
- C09K8/584—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids characterised by the use of specific surfactants
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
- C09K8/58—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
- C09K8/588—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids characterised by the use of specific polymers
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K2208/00—Aspects relating to compositions of drilling or well treatment fluids
- C09K2208/10—Nanoparticle-containing well treatment fluids
Definitions
- This disclosure relates to nanoparticle compositions that are stable under high salinity and high temperature conditions. This disclosure is also directed to methods of producing these nanoparticle compositions and their use for improved and enhanced oil recovery applications.
- One way to mitigate the loss of surfactants is to increase the amount of surfactants in water, either by increasing the concentration of a given slug size of surfactants or increasing the slug size of a given concentration of surfactants, to deliver enough surfactants to the oil/water interface.
- Other approaches use sacrificial chemicals to passivate the rock surface and minimize surfactant adsorption. Overall, the approaches fail to maintain a constant concentration of surfactant over an extended period in the formation. These techniques also increase the cost of current surfactant-enhanced oil recovery techniques.
- Embodiments disclosed and described here address the shortcomings in the art such as lack of long term stability of EOR compositions under conditions of high salinity and high temperature.
- Embodiments include a nanosurfactant-containing composition suitable for injection into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation for enhanced recovery operations.
- the EOR composition includes nanoparticles containing a sulfonate surfactant, a zwitterionic co-surfactant, and mineral oil. These nanosurfactants are delivered as aqueous compositions containing cations, such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
- the sulfonate surfactant and the zwitterionic co-surfactant form nanoparticles having a particle diameter ranging from about 10 nanometers (nm) to 100 nm.
- the nanoparticles are stable under high salinity and high temperature conditions. In certain embodiments, a substantial portion of the nanoparticles are stable for at least three months at temperatures of at least 100 degrees Celsius (°C).
- the sulfonate surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of an alkyl sulfonate, an alkyl aryl sulfonate, and combinations thereof.
- the sulfonate surfactant is petroleum sulfonate.
- the zwitterionic co-surfactant can contain cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.
- Embodiments disclosed and described here include methods for recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
- One such method includes introducing into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation a fluid containing nanoparticles.
- the nanoparticles are formed by mixing effective amounts of a sulfonate surfactant, a zwitterionic co-surfactant, and mineral oil.
- the method further includes driving the fluid through the hydrocarbon-bearing formation to displace hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and recovering the displaced hydrocarbons.
- the sulfonate surfactant and the zwitterionic co-surfactant can form nanoparticles having a particle diameter ranging from about lO nm to 100 nm.
- the nanoparticles are stable under high salinity and high temperature conditions. In certain embodiments, a substantial portion of the nanoparticles are stable for at least three months at temperatures of at least 100 °C.
- the sulfonate surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of an alkyl sulfonate, an alkyl aryl sulfonate, and combinations thereof.
- the sulfonate surfactant can contain petroleum sulfonate.
- the zwitterionic co-surfactant can contain cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.
- Embodiments disclosed and described here include methods for producing nanosurfactant-containing fluids suitable for injection into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation for enhanced recovery operations.
- One such method includes the steps of mixing a first aqueous mixture containing a sulfonate surfactant and a second aqueous mixture containing a zwitterionic co-surfactant in a reactor to form a third aqueous mixture.
- a fourth aqueous mixture containing cations is mixed with the third aqueous mixture in the reactor to produce a fluid containing nanosurfactants with a particle diameter ranging from about 10 nm to 100 nm and containing the sulfonate surfactant and the zwitterionic co-surfactant.
- the first aqueous mixture containing the sulfonate surfactant further contains mineral oil and fresh water.
- the sulfonate surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of an alkyl sulfonate, an alkyl aryl sulfonate, and combinations thereof.
- the first aqueous mixture containing the sulfonate surfactant can further contain petroleum sulfonate, mineral oil, and fresh water.
- the second aqueous mixture is produced by mixing the zwitterionic co-surfactant in fresh water.
- the fourth aqueous mixture containing cations is sea water.
- the zwitterionic co-surfactant can contain cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.
- the petroleum sulfonate in the fluid containing nanosurfactants can range from 0.1 to 0.25 weight percent.
- the mineral oil in the fluid containing nanosurfactants can range from 0.002 to 0.02 weight percent.
- the zwitterionic cosurfactant in the fluid containing nanosurfactants can range from 0.1 to 0.2 weight percent.
- Another method for producing nanosurfactant-containing fluids includes the steps of mixing a petroleum sulfonate surfactant, mineral oil, and a zwitterionic co-surfactant with fresh water in a reactor; introducing an aqueous salt solution to the reactor; and operating the reactor to produce nanoparticles containing the petroleum sulfonate surfactant, the mineral oil, and the zwitterionic co-surfactant and having a particle diameter ranging from about 10 nm to 100 nm.
- These nanoparticles are stable under high salinity and high temperature conditions. In certain embodiments, a substantial portion of the nanoparticles are stable for at least three months at temperatures of at least 100 °C.
- the zwitterionic co-surfactant can contain cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.
- Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of producing a nanosurfactant composition suitable for injection into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation for enhanced oil recovery operations.
- the method includes the step of combining a sulfonate surfactant and an oil to form a first mixture.
- the method includes the step of combining the first mixture, a zwitterionic co-surfactant, and fresh water to form a second mixture.
- the method includes the step of combining the second mixture, a functionalized zwitterionic copolymer, and the fresh water to form a third mixture.
- the method includes the step of combining the third mixture and saline water to form the nanosurfactant composition.
- the saline water includes divalent cations.
- the nanosurfactant composition includes a nanoassembly.
- the nanoassembly has a hydrophobic interior and a hydrophilic exterior.
- the hydrophobic interior includes the sulfonate surfactant, a hydrophobic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant, and the oil.
- the hydrophilic exterior includes a hydrophilic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant interacting with the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer present in an aqueous environment.
- the hydrophilic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant stabilizes the nanoassembly by interacting with the divalent cations present in the saline water.
- the oil facilitates containment of the sulfonate surfactant in the hydrophobic interior of the nanoassembly.
- the nanoassembly has a diameter ranging between 10 nm and 100 nm.
- the sulfonate surfactant is petroleum sulfonate.
- the petroleum sulfonate includes an alkyl sulfonate, an alkyl aryl sulfonate, and combinations of the same.
- the nanosurfactant composition has a sulfonate surfactant content ranging between 0.1 weight percent (wt %) and 0.25 wt %.
- the zwitterionic co-surfactant is cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.
- the nanosurfactant composition has a zwitterionic co-surfactant content ranging between 0.1 wt % and 0.25 wt %.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer has a first monomeric unit including a zwitterionic functional group.
- the first monomeric unit includes 1 -vinylimidazole.
- the 1-vinylimidazole is functionalized with an alkyl sulfonate at an N3 position of the 1- vinylimidazole.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer has a second monomeric unit comprising a hydrophobic functional group.
- the second monomeric unit includes styrene. In some embodiments, the second monomeric unit includes 4-methylstyrene. In some embodiments, the second monomeric unit includes 4- (trifluoromethyl)styrene. In some embodiments, the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer has the formula: wherein n, x, and y are positive integers.
- the oil is mineral oil. In some embodiments, the nanosurfactant composition has an oil content ranging between 0.002 wt % and 0.02 wt %. In some embodiments, the fresh water has a total dissolved solids concentration less than 3,000 ppm.
- the saline water has a total dissolved solids concentration greater than 10,000 ppm.
- Embodiments of the disclosure also provide a nanosurfactant composition suitable for injection into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation for enhanced oil recovery operations.
- the nanosurfactant composition includes a nanoassembly and an aqueous environment.
- the nanoassembly includes a hydrophobic interior and a hydrophilic exterior.
- the hydrophobic interior includes petroleum sulfonate, a hydrophobic portion of a zwitterionic co-surfactant, and mineral oil.
- the hydrophilic exterior includes a hydrophilic portion of the zwitterionic cosurfactant.
- the aqueous environment includes a functionalized zwitterionic copolymer and divalent cations.
- the hydrophilic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant is configured to interact with the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer present in the aqueous environment.
- the hydrophilic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant is configured to stabilize the nanoassembly by interacting with the divalent cations present in the aqueous environment.
- the mineral oil is configured to facilitate containment of the petroleum sulfonate in the hydrophobic interior of the nanoassembly.
- the nanoassembly has a diameter ranging between 10 nm and 100 nm.
- the zwitterionic co-surfactant is cocamidopropyl hydroxy sultaine.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer has a first monomeric unit including a zwitterionic functional group.
- the first monomeric unit includes 1 -vinylimidazole.
- the 1 -vinylimidazole is functionalized with an alkyl sulfonate at an N3 position of the 1 -vinylimidazole.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer has a second monomeric unit including a hydrophobic functional group.
- the second monomeric unit includes styrene.
- the second monomeric unit includes 4-methylstyrene.
- the second monomeric unit includes 4-(trifluoromethyl)styrene.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer has the formula: wherein n, x, and y are positive integers.
- Embodiments of the disclosure also provide a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
- the method includes the step of introducing into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation a nanosurfactant composition.
- the nanosurfactant composition is formed by the step of combining a sulfonate surfactant and an oil to form a first mixture.
- the nanosurfactant composition is formed by the step of combining the first mixture, a zwitterionic co-surfactant, and fresh water to form a second mixture.
- the nanosurfactant composition is formed by the step of combining the second mixture, a functionalized zwitterionic copolymer, and the fresh water to form a third mixture.
- the nanosurfactant composition is formed by the step of combining the third mixture and saline water to form the nanosurfactant composition.
- the saline water includes divalent cations.
- the nanosurfactant composition includes a nanoassembly.
- the nanoassembly has a hydrophobic interior and a hydrophilic exterior.
- the hydrophobic interior includes the sulfonate surfactant, a hydrophobic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant, and the oil.
- the hydrophilic exterior includes a hydrophilic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant interacting with the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer present in an aqueous environment.
- the hydrophilic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant stabilizes the nanoassembly by interacting with the divalent cations present in the saline water.
- the oil facilitates containment of the sulfonate surfactant in the hydrophobic interior of the nanoassembly.
- the method includes the step of driving the nanosurfactant composition through the hydrocarbon-bearing formation to displace the hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
- the nanoassembly reduces interfacial tension between the hydrocarbons and the saline water.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer present in the aqueous environment screens a charged surface of the hydrophilic exterior of the nanoassembly from ions present on a surface of a carbonate-based rock present in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
- the sulfonate surfactant is petroleum sulfonate.
- the zwitterionic co-surfactant is cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.
- the oil is mineral oil.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer has a first monomeric unit including a zwitterionic functional group.
- the first monomeric unit includes 1 -vinylimidazole.
- the 1-vinylimidazole is functionalized with an alkyl sulfonate at an N3 position of the 1- vinylimidazole.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer has a second monomeric unit including a hydrophobic functional group.
- the second monomeric unit includes styrene.
- the second monomeric unit includes 4-methylstyrene.
- the second monomeric unit includes 4- (trifluoromethyl)styrene.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer has the formula: wherein n, x, and y are positive integers.
- Embodiments of the disclosure also provide a method of providing a nanosurfactant composition suitable for injection into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation for enhanced oil recovery operations.
- the method includes the step of combining a sulfonate surfactant, an oil, and fresh water to form a first mixture.
- the method includes the step of combining a zwitterionic co-surfactant and the fresh water to form a second mixture.
- the method includes the step of combining a functionalized zwitterionic copolymer and the fresh water to form a third mixture.
- the method includes the step of combining the first mixture, the second mixture, and the third mixture to form a fourth mixture.
- the method includes the step of combining the fourth mixture and saline water to form the nanosurfactant composition.
- the saline water includes divalent cations.
- the nanosurfactant composition includes a nanoassembly.
- the nanoassembly has a hydrophobic interior and a hydrophilic exterior.
- the hydrophobic interior includes the sulfonate surfactant, a hydrophobic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant, and the oil.
- the hydrophilic exterior includes a hydrophilic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant interacting with the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer present in an aqueous environment.
- the hydrophilic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant stabilizes the nanoassembly by interacting with the divalent cations present in the saline water.
- the oil facilitates containment of the sulfonate surfactant in the hydrophobic interior of the nanoassembly.
- FIG. 1 is a drawing showing how size exclusion and chromatographic effects enable nanosurfactants to reach the oil-water interfaces.
- FIG. 2 shows photographs demonstrating the components used in the preparation of the nanosurfactant compositions, according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 3 is a photograph of a cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) image of the nanosurfactant, according to an embodiment.
- FIGS. 4A and 4B are photographs of nanosurfactant-containing fluids after 4 months at room temperature and following incubation in the oven at 100 °C, respectively, according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of the particle size of the nanoparticles in nanosurfactant mixture during heating followed by cooling, according to an embodiment.
- FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are graphical representations of the particle size of the nanoparticles at different dilutions of the nanosurfactant mixture during heating followed by cooling, according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of the results from the interfacial tension (IFT) evaluation of the zwitterionic co-surfactant alone (STRX) and when it is present as part of the nanosurfactant mixture (NS STRX), according to an embodiment.
- IFT interfacial tension
- FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of the results from the IFT evaluation of the nanosurfactant mixture before and after being maintained at 100 °C for over 4 months, according to an embodiment.
- FIGS.9A and 9B are graphical representations of the results from the IFT evaluation of different concentrations of the co-surfactant alone (STRX) and when present as part of the nanosurfactant mixture (NS STRX), according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is a photograph showing the various nanosurfactant samples with different ratios of the zwitterionic co-surfactant to petroleum sulfonate.
- FIG. 10 shows seven samples whose labeling correspond to sample numbers provided in Table 6.
- FIG. 11 is a graphical representation of the results from the IFT evaluation of a nanosurfactant mixture with mineral oil and nanosurfactant mixtures without the mineral oil.
- FIG. 12 is a graphical representation of the results from the IFT evaluation of the supernatant, which was obtained following filtration to remove the precipitate formed by the reaction between seawater and the petroleum sulfonate surfactant.
- FIGS. 13A-13E are photographs showing the various steps of the preparation of a soluble fraction of petroleum sulfonate mixed with sea water, according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 14 is a graphical representation of the results obtained following interfacial tension evaluation of the seawater alone (shown as blue line labeled SW on the graph) and the nanosurfactant mixture with petroleum sulfonate surfactant, zwitterionic co-surfactant, and mineral oil mixed with sea water (shown as green line labeled STRX on the graph).
- FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration for the phase behavior experimental setup, according to an embodiment.
- FIGS. 16A-16D are photographic images under normal light and under ultraviolet (UV) light of the zwitterionic co-surfactant alone and the nanosurfactant mixture with zwitterionic co-surfactant in contact with crude oil; and both mixtures being incubated at 100 °C for one week.
- UV ultraviolet
- FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration for the phase behavior experimental setup, according to an embodiment.
- FIGS. 18A and 18C are photographic images under normal light and FIGS. 18B and 18D are photographic images under UV light of the seawater alone (SW) and the nanosurfactant mixture with a zwitterionic co-surfactant (STRX), all samples being incubated with a second layer of a mixture of petroleum sulfonate and oil.
- FIGS. 18A and 18B are photographs of the samples taken before heating and FIGS. 18C and 18D are photographs of the samples taken after heating at 100 °C for 1 hour.
- FIGS. 19A is a proton nuclear magnetic resonance (*HNMR) spectrum of the nanosurfactant mixture and each of its individual ingredients. Regions of the spectrum in FIG. 19A that are highlighted as a red rectangle and a green rectangle are enhanced and shown separately in FIGS. 19B and 19C, respectively.
- *HNMR proton nuclear magnetic resonance
- FIGS. 20A and 20B are 'H NMR spectra of samples of the nanosurfactantcontaining fluid collected before and after contact with powdered Arab-D outcrop rock, respectively, according to an embodiment.
- FIGS. 21A and 21B are 'H NMR spectra of samples of a fluid containing the zwitterionic co-surfactant collected before and after contact with powdered Arab-D outcrop rock, respectively, according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 22 is a series of difference spectra based on the X H NMR spectra of samples of a fluid containing the zwitterionic co-surfactant collected before and after contact with powdered Arab-D outcrop rock, respectively, according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 23 is a difference spectrum based on the X H NMR spectra of samples of the nanosurfactant-containing fluid collected before and after contact with powdered Arab-D outcrop rock, respectively, according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 24 is a graphical representation of the adsorption of active ingredients onto rock from different compositions — the zwitterionic co-surfactant alone (STRX control), the petroleum sulfonate alone (NS EOR-2095), the nanosurfactant mixture with the petroleum sulfonate and the zwitterionic co-surfactant (NS STRX), and the nanosurfactant mixture with the petroleum sulfonate, the zwitterionic co-surfactant, and mineral oil (NS min oil), according to an embodiment.
- STRX control the zwitterionic co-surfactant alone
- N EOR-2095 the nanosurfactant mixture with the petroleum sulfonate and the zwitterionic co-surfactant
- NS min oil mineral oil
- FIG. 25 is a graphical representation of the active ingredients that remain in solution from different compositions — the zwitterionic co-surfactant alone (STRX control), the petroleum sulfonate alone (NS EOR-2095), the nanosurfactant mixture with the petroleum sulfonate and the zwitterionic co-surfactant (NS STRX), and the nanosurfactant mixture with the petroleum sulfonate, the zwitterionic co-surfactant, and mineral oil (NS min oil), according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 26A and 26B are photographs of test tubes containing compositions of the nanosurfactant mixture with the petroleum sulfonate, the zwitterionic co-surfactant, and mineral oil, before and after a seven day incubation period.
- FIG. 26C is a graphical representation of the results from an IFT evaluation of the nanosurfactant mixture with the petroleum sulfonate, the zwitterionic co-surfactant, and mineral oil.
- FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic representation of the composite arrangement of core plugs for the coreflooding experiments, according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 28 is a schematic illustration of the automatic coreflooding system, according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 29A is a graphical representation of the results from the coreflooding recovery experiment using a nanosurfactant mixture, according to an embodiment
- FIG. 29B is a zoomed-in version of a select section of FIG. 29A.
- FIG. 30 is a schematic illustration of a nanoassembly included in a nanosurfactant composition, according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 31A is a graphical representation of a breakthrough curve of a core flooding experiment using a sample nanosurfactant composition, according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 3 IB is a graphical representation of a breakthrough curve of a core flooding experiment using a control nanosurfactant composition, according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 32 is a graphical representation showing the dynamic retention of the nanosurfactant composition the sample nanosurfactant composition and the control nanosurfactant composition, according to an embodiment.
- Embodiments of this disclosure describe nanoparticle compositions that are stable under high salinity and high temperature conditions. More specifically, these compositions include petroleum sulfonate-based nanoparticles that are used for improved and enhanced oil recovery applications.
- the description may use the phrases “in certain embodiments,” “in an embodiment,” or “in embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments.
- the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous.
- the term “effective amount” refers to at least that amount of nanosurfactant or nanosurfactant components necessary to bring about a desired result, such as, for example, enhanced oil recovery or improved stability at high temperatures or improved stability for longer periods of time and at relatively high temperatures.
- salinity refers to the amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water and is measured in parts per million (ppm).
- high salinity conditions refers to fluid conditions where the TDS concentration ranges from 30,000 ppm to 220,000 ppm. In certain embodiments, high salinity conditions include fluid conditions with the TDS concentration ranging from 60,000 ppm to 150,000 ppm.
- high temperature conditions refers to fluid or reservoir conditions where the temperature ranges from 75 °C to 150 °C. In certain embodiments, high temperature conditions include fluid or reservoir conditions with the temperature ranging from 100 °C to 120 °C.
- Embodiments include nanosurfactant formulations and use of these formulations with long-term stability at high salinity and high temperature conditions.
- Nanosurfactants described here are nanoparticle compositions containing a sulfonate surfactant, a zwitterionic co-surfactant, and an oil.
- the nanosurfactants enable more economical oil recovery as compared to conventional surfactants by reducing the amount of surfactants lost by adsorption onto the rock surfaces. These compositions deliver surfactants more efficiently to the oil-water interfaces.
- Embodiments include aqueous suspensions of petroleum sulfonate-based nanoparticles with long-term stability at high salinity and high temperature conditions.
- formulations contain small amounts of a class of zwitterionic co-surfactants (a surfactant with both anionic and cationic centers in the same molecule) that have no easily hydrolysable chemical bonds. These formulations are compatible with salty and hard water, in particular tolerant to high concentrations of sodium chloride and divalent cations.
- zwitterionic surfactants used in these formulations is cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine or betaine surfactants, such as SURFATEX CBSTM, obtained from Surfactants International, LLC, headquartered in Allendale, New Jersey, USA; PETROSTEP® SB, PETROSTEP® CG-50, and Amphosol® CG-50 from Stepan, headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, USA; and ColaTeric CBS-HP from Colonial Chemical Inc., headquartered in South Pittsburgh, Tennessee.
- cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine or betaine surfactants such as SURFATEX CBSTM, obtained from Surfactants International, LLC, headquartered in Allendale, New Jersey, USA
- PETROSTEP® SB PETROSTEP® CG-50
- Amphosol® CG-50 from Stepan, headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, USA
- ColaTeric CBS-HP from Colonial Chemical Inc.
- formulations offer several advantages, such as colloidal and chemical stability at high salinity and high temperature for several months, substantial reduction of crude oil/seawater interfacial tension, ability to form an emulsion very rapidly upon contact with crude oil without any mechanical mixing. As demonstrated by experimental data from a lab-scale coreflooding setting, these formulations show appreciable increase in oil recovery beyond seawater flooding.
- the formulations described here include sulfonates, mineral oil, and a class of cosurfactants that have no easily hydrolysable chemical bonds.
- a nanosurfactant mixture was formulated using zwitterionic co-surfactants with petroleum sulfonate surfactants in the presence of mineral oil.
- the term “petroleum sulfonate” refers to a mixture containing sulfonated benzenoids (both alkyl aryl and aryl), and cycloaliphatic and paraffinic (alkyl) hydrocarbons in various ratios to one another depending on the nature of the source of the petroleum fraction.
- Petroleum sulfonates can include alkyl xylene sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, and combinations thereof.
- An example of a commercially- available product that contains petroleum sulfonate is PETRONATE® EOR-2095 sodium sulfonate (EOR-2095) from Chemtura Corporation (headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) or PETRONATE® sodium sulfonates from Sonnebom LLC (headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, USA). Petroleum sulfonates are not stable by themselves in sea water.
- Embodiments disclosed here include compositions suitable for injection into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation for enhanced recovery operations.
- One such composition includes a sulfonate surfactant, a zwitterionic co-surfactant, and mineral oil.
- the effective amounts of each of the sulfonate surfactant and the zwitterionic co-surfactant range from 0.1-0.9 wt % of the nanosurfactant mixture. In certain embodiments, the effective amounts of each of the sulfonate surfactant and the zwitterionic co-surfactant range from 0.1-0.5 wt % of the nanosurfactant mixture. In certain embodiments, the total amount of the sulfonate surfactant and the zwitterionic co-surfactant ranges from 0.2-1 wt % of the nanosurfactant mixture. In certain embodiments, the amount of mineral oil ranges from 0.002-0.02 wt % of the nanosurfactant mixture. In certain embodiments, the amount of mineral oil ranges from 0.002-0.01 wt % of the nanosurfactant mixture. In certain embodiments, the amount of mineral oil is approximately 0.005 wt % of the nanosurfactant mixture.
- the weight percent ratio of sulfonate/zwitterionic surfactants can range from 0.3 to 3. In certain embodiments, the weight percent ratio of sulfonates/zwitterionic surfactants can range from 0.3 to 2.5. In certain embodiments, the weight percent ratio of sulfonates/zwitterionic surfactants can range from 0.3 to 2.0. In certain embodiments, the weight percent ratio of sulfonates/zwitterionic surfactants can range from 0.3 to 1.5. In certain embodiments, the weight percent ratio of sulfonates/zwitterionic surfactants can range from 0.3 to 1.0. In certain embodiments, the weight percent ratio of sulfonates/zwitterionic surfactants can range from 0.5 to 1.5.
- the weight percent ratio of sulfonates/zwitterionic surfactants can range from 0.5 to 1. In certain embodiments, the weight percent ratio of sulfonates/zwitterionic surfactants can range from 0.5 to 0.8. In certain embodiments, the weight percent ratio of sulfonates/zwitterionic surfactants can range from 0.75 to 0.80.
- Embodiments disclosed here include methods for recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
- One such method includes introducing into the hydrocarbon- bearing formation a fluid containing effective amounts of a sulfonate surfactant, a zwitterionic co-surfactant, and mineral oil; driving the fluid through the hydrocarbon-bearing formation to displace hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and recovering the displaced hydrocarbons.
- the sulfonate surfactant and the zwitterionic co-surfactant can form nanoparticles having a particle diameter ranging from about 10-100 nm.
- the petroleum sulfonate-based nanoparticles in seawater-based formulations have particle diameters ranging from about 10 nm to 60 nm.
- a zwitterionic co-surfactant such as cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, a petroleum sulfonate surfactant, such as sodium alkylbenzene sulfonates, and seawater were combined to form a colloidally and chemically stable formulation.
- these nanosurfactant formulations were colloidally and chemically stable for more than six months at 100 °C Stability refers to the ability of the particles to remain as part of the nanosurfactant composition without aggregating or displaying reduced sticking to the rock surfaces. Stability does not refer to the stability of the individual components.
- the seawater-crude oil IFT was reduced by two to three orders of magnitude.
- Certain embodiments showed reduced interfacial tension measured in milliNewtons per meter (mN/m) with crude oil at 90 °C and rapid formation of an emulsion at 100 °C without any mechanical mixing. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the size of the formed nanoparticles was small (less than 50 nm) in comparison to pore diameters typically encountered in petroleum-bearing carbonate formations. The size of the nanoparticles was small and decreased to about 15 nm after increasing the temperature from 25 °C to 90 °C. The size remained unchanged when the suspension is cooled back to 25 °C. This indicates the enhanced stability of the formulation under oil reservoir conditions, and even when different temperatures are encountered in the reservoir.
- the surfactant molecules are formulated into nano-sized particles, the loss of surfactants is mitigated and the delivery of surfactants to the oil phase is enhanced.
- nanosized particles can migrate long distances and efficiently deliver the surfactant to the entrapped or upswept oil for enhanced mobility.
- Petroleum sulfonate surfactants are inexpensive, readily available surfactants, and provide an exceptional performance for oil recovery applications. However, the sulfonates are only soluble in fresh water, and they form insoluble gummy precipitates in seawater. The precipitates consist of petroleum sulfonate salts of the naturally occurring divalent metal cations in seawater.
- the surfactant When delivered as part of the nanoparticle composition, the surfactant is released in the presence of oil, otherwise it remains intact within the water phase.
- This approach is efficient and economical in delivering surfactants in targeted oil recovery applications.
- the nanoparticles are small enough to travel through the reservoir without straining. The sorption of these particles onto the rock matrix is not significant, and they are stable for periods of time exceeding their travel time to the oil-water interface. Flow of these aqueous nanoparticle compositions through the reservoir is different from the flow of foam compositions. These aqueous nanoparticle compositions easily permeate into low permeability zones, while the foam compositions do not have similar capability. Moreover, these aqueous nanoparticle compositions do not block the high permeability zones of a reservoir.
- Embodiments formulated using petroleum sulfonate surfactants, zwitterionic cosurfactants, and mineral oil with did not suffer from the disadvantages described in the prior paragraph. Due to the co-existence of immiscible components (oil and water) in the nanosurfactant solution, the configuration of nanosurfactants formed in seawater is fundamentally different than just a mixture (or a blend) of surfactant molecules.
- the nanosurfactants are emulsions of nano-sized oil droplets that contain the petroleum sulfonate. The droplets are in turn stabilized by the co-surfactant molecules, which are not easily hydrolyzed in seawater.
- Embodiments disclosed here include methods for producing nanosurfactant compositions suitable for injection into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation for enhanced recovery operations.
- One such method includes the steps of mixing a sulfonate surfactant and a zwitterionic co-surfactant in the presence of freshwater or deionized water.
- the sulfonate surfactant contains 2 wt % to 20 wt % of mineral oil. If the sulfonate surfactant does not contain the required amount of mineral oil, then external mineral oil is added to the sulfonate surfactant. If required, the various fluids are diluted with freshwater or deionized water to the desired concentrations.
- the method further includes introducing an aqueous salt solution with cations to the reactor to the freshwater mixture of sulfonate surfactant and zwitterionic co-surfactant to produce a nanosurfactant composition containing nanoparticles with a particle diameter in a range of from about lO nm to 100 nm and the sulfonate surfactant and the zwitterionic co-surfactant at about 0.2-1 wt %.
- These nanoparticles are stable under high salinity and high temperature conditions. A substantial portion of the nanoparticles is stable for at least three months at temperatures of at least 100 °C.
- the sulfonate surfactant is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl sulfonate, an alkyl aryl sulfonate, and combinations thereof.
- the sulfonate surfactant is a petroleum sulfonate salt.
- the petroleum sulfonate nanoparticles in seawater-based formulations have particle diameters ranging from about 10 nm to 60 nm.
- the zwitterionic co-surfactant contains cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.
- Another method of producing nanosurfactant compositions includes mixing the sulfonate surfactant with the zwitterionic co-surfactant in the presence of fresh water.
- the resulting mixture contains water in an amount ranging from 80 wt % to 98 wt % and the total amount of surfactants ranging from about 2 wt % to 20 wt %.
- water containing cations such as seawater, is introduced to form nanosurfactant compositions with the total amount of surfactants ranging from about 0.2 wt % to 1 wt %.
- the cations include one or more of sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
- the cations-containing water has a TDS concentration ranging from 50,000-150,000 ppm.
- the nanosurfactant compositions contain 0.1-0.25 wt % of petroleum sulfonates, 0.002-0.02 wt % of mineral oil, and 0.1-0.2 wt % of a zwitterionic co-surfactant. These nanosurfactant compositions are stable under reservoir conditions.
- An example of reservoir conditions includes a TDS concentration ranging from 60,000-150,000 ppm and a reservoir temperature ranging from 100 °C to 120 °C.
- nanosurfactant compositions are different from the fracturing fluids that contain zwitterionic and ionic surfactants.
- the fracturing fluids contain 10 wt % to 20 wt % of the zwitterionic surfactants and the methods of production of these fracturing fluids do not permit the formation of the nanoparticles.
- the fracturing fluids contain large amounts of surfactants to increase fluid viscosity, the fracturing fluids do not pass through the pores but instead fracture the rocks of the reservoir.
- nanosurfactant compositions containing surfactants ranging from about 0.2 wt % to 1 wt % of the fluid used for improved or enhanced oil recovery.
- the fluid containing the nanosurfactants passes through the pores.
- the salts contained in the seawater force the surfactant and co-surfactant to form nanoparticles and stabilize these nanoparticles.
- the fluid containing the nanoparticles passes through the pores easily and delivers the active surfactants to mobilize oil and enhance recovery.
- the nanosurfactant composition includes oil-containing nanoassemblies.
- the nanoassembly is essentially an oil-based micelle surrounded by the zwitterionic co-surfactant (the hydrophilic heads of the zwitterionic cosurfactant are represented by the bright spheres).
- the nanoassembly includes a hydrophobic interior and a hydrophilic exterior.
- the hydrophobic interior includes the mineral oil.
- the hydrophobic interior also includes the hydrophobic portion of the sulfonate surfactant and the hydrophobic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant.
- the hydrophilic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant forming the hydrophilic exterior of the micelle interacts with the saline aqueous environment to stabilize the nanoassembly. Specifically, the hydrophilic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant interacts with the divalent cations present in the saline aqueous environment.
- the sulfonate surfactant is contained within the hydrophobic interior. In alternate embodiments, the hydrophilic portion of the sulfonate surfactant (represented by the dark sphere) is shielded by adjacent hydrophilic portions of the zwitterionic co-surfactant.
- the hydrophilic portion of the sulfonate surfactant which may be due to steric hinderance by the hydrophilic portion of the zwitterionic cosurfactant, sparingly or does not participate in the stabilization of the nanoassembly with the exterior saline aqueous environment.
- the mineral oil in the hydrophobic interior facilitates the containment of the sulfonate surfactant in the hydrophobic interior of the nanoassembly.
- Embodiments provide nanosurfactant compositions suitable for injection into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation for enhanced recovery operations.
- a non-limiting example nanosurfactant composition includes a sulfonate surfactant, a zwitterionic co-surfactant, a functionalized zwitterionic copolymer, mineral oil, and saline water.
- the nanosurfactant composition has a sulfonate surfactant content ranging between about 0.1 wt % and about 0.25 wt %. In some embodiments, the nanosurfactant composition has a zwitterionic co-surfactant content ranging between about 0.1 wt % and about 0.25 wt %. In some embodiments, the nanosurfactant composition has a cationic co-surfactant content ranging between about 0.005 wt % and about 0.1 wt %. In some embodiments, the nanosurfactant composition has an oil content ranging between about 0.002 wt % and about 0.02 wt %.
- Embodiments include nanosurfactant compositions and use of these compositions with long-term stability at high salinity and high temperature conditions.
- the nanosurfactant compositions include nanoassemblies including a sulfonate surfactant, a zwitterionic cosurfactant, a functionalized zwitterionic copolymer, and an oil (such as mineral oil).
- the hydrophobic interior of the nanoassembly includes the mineral oil, the hydrophobic portion of the sulfonate surfactant, and the hydrophobic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant.
- the hydrophilic portion of the sulfonate surfactant is located in the hydrophobic interior of the nanoassembly.
- the hydrophilic exterior of the nanoassembly includes the hydrophilic portion of the zwitterionic co-surfactant.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer is dissolved in the aqueous environment.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer interacts with the hydrophilic exterior of the nanoassembly. Without being bound by any theory, the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer screens the charged surface of the hydrophilic exterior of the nanoassembly from ions that may be present in the aqueous environment and from ions that may be present on the reservoir rock surface.
- the sulfonate surfactant can include petroleum sulfonate.
- Petroleum sulfonate can include alkyl sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonate, alkyl xylene sulfonate, and alpha-olefin sulfonates, and combinations of the same.
- Non-limiting examples of a commercially-available product that contains petroleum sulfonate include PETRONATE® EOR-2095 sodium sulfonates and PETRONATE® HL/L sodium sulfonates.
- the zwitterionic co-surfactant can include cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine or betaine-based surfactants.
- the molecular structure of cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (or JV,JV-dimethyl-JV-(3-cocamidopropyl)-3-ammonio-2- hydroxypropylsulfonate) is shown in Formula (I): where n is a positive integer ranging from 1 to 20.
- Non-limiting examples of a commercially available product that contains cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine or betaine-based surfactants include SURFATEX CBSTM, PETROSTEP® SB, PETROSTEP® CG-50, Amphosol® CG-50, and ColaTeric CBS-HP.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer can include a first monomeric unit and a second monomeric unit.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer can be amphiphilic.
- the first monomeric unit can include hydrophilic functional groups.
- the first monomeric unit can include cationic, anionic, zwitterionic, or amphoteric functional groups.
- the first monomeric unit includes a zwitterionic functional group.
- the first monomeric unit can include a vinylimidazole unit.
- the vinylimidazole unit can be 1 -vinylimidazole where the vinyl group forms a covalent bond at the N1 position of the imidazole unit.
- the 1 -vinylimidazole unit can be further functionalized with an alkyl sulfonate unit forming a covalent bond at the N3 position of the imidazole unit.
- the sulfonate group exhibits a negative charge and the N3 of the imidazole unit exhibits a positive charge, resulting in a zwitterionic monomeric unit.
- the second monomeric unit can include hydrophobic functional groups.
- the second monomeric unit can include a styrene unit.
- the styrene unit can be an alkylstyrene such as methylstyrene.
- the methylstyrene can be 4-methylstyrene.
- the second monomeric unit includes 4-(trifluoromethyl)styrene, which is a fluoro monomeric unit.
- the second monomeric unit can include an acrylate unit.
- the acrylate unit can be an alkyl acrylate.
- Non-limiting examples of the alkyl group forming the alkyl acrylate-based second monomeric unit include -CH2CH3, -CH(CH3)2, and -C(CH3)3.
- One or more hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group forming the alkyl acrylate-based second monomeric unit can be substituted with one or more halogen atoms such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.
- halogen atoms such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.
- Non-limiting examples of a fluoroalkyl group forming a fluoroalkyl acrylate-based second monomeric unit include -CH2CF3, -CH(CF3)2, and -C(CF3)3.
- the molecular structure of the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer is shown in Formula (II): where n, x, and y are positive integers.
- the first monomeric unit that is, the zwitterionic monomeric unit
- the second monomeric unit that is, the fluoro monomeric unit
- the second monomeric unit includes 4-(trifluoromethyl)styrene.
- the zwitterionic monomeric units and the fluoro monomeric units of the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer allow the nanoassembly to exhibit an overall charge less anionic than in the absence of either of the zwitterionic monomeric units or the fluoro monomeric units, or both. In this manner, the interactions between the nanoassembly and the carbonate rock surface can be reduced.
- the trifluromethyl groups of the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer that can be present on the surface of the nanoassembly can form repulsive dipole interactions against the carbonate rock surface, preventing the nanoassembly from being adsorbed or absorbed to the carbonate rock surface.
- the petroleum sulfonate and the mineral oil are combined to form a first mixture.
- the first mixture, the zwitterionic cosurfactant, and fresh water are combined to form a second mixture.
- the second mixture, the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer, and additional fresh water are combined to form a third mixture.
- the third mixture and saline water are combined to form the nanosurfactant composition.
- the saline water includes divalent cations where the hydrophilic position of the zwitterionic co-surfactant interacts with the divalent cations present in the aqueous environment to stabilize the nanoassembly.
- the mineral oil facilitates the containment of the petroleum sulfonate in the hydrophobic interior of the nanoassembly.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer present in the aqueous environment is configured to screen the charged surface of the hydrophilic exterior of the nanoassembly from ions present in the aqueous environment and from ions that may be present on the reservoir rock surface.
- the petroleum sulfonate, the mineral oil, and fresh water are combined to form a first mixture.
- the zwitterionic co-surfactant and fresh water are combined to form a second mixture.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer and fresh water are combined to form a third mixture.
- the first mixture, the second mixture, and the third mixture are combined to form a fourth mixture.
- the fourth mixture and saline water are combined to form the nanosurfactant composition.
- the saline water includes divalent cations where the hydrophilic position of the zwitterionic co-surfactant interacts with the divalent cations present in the aqueous environment to stabilize the nanoassembly.
- the mineral oil facilitates the containment of the petroleum sulfonate in the hydrophobic interior of the nanoassembly.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer present in the aqueous environment is configured to screen the charged surface of the hydrophilic exterior of the nanoassembly from ions present in the aqueous environment and from ions that may be present on the reservoir rock surface.
- the nanosurfactant composition is introduced into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
- the hydrocarbon-bearing formation can include carbonate-based rocks.
- the nanosurfactant composition is driven through the hydrocarbon-bearing formation such that the nanoassembly makes contact with and displaces hydrocarbons from the formation by reducing the interfacial tension between the hydrocarbons and the saline water included in the nanosurfactant composition.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer present in the aqueous environment is configured to screen the charged surface of the hydrophilic exterior of the nanoassembly from ions present on the carbonate- based rock surface.
- PETROSTEP® SB and SURFATEX® CBS were chosen for further experimentation with different sulfonates (EOR-095, BIOSOFT S101®, NACCANOL 90G®, G-3300®, ENORDET 0342®, ENORDET 0352®, ENORDET 0242®).
- These surfactant and co-surfactant formulations were evalutated in seawater as well as in low salinity Arab-D brine.
- the stability and properties of the nanosurfactant compositions are dependent on type of the sulfonates used as the core of the nanostructured entity.
- the properties of the nanosurfactants are affected by factors such as co-surfactant type, salt concentration, type of petroleum sulfonate/altemative, oil content, and amount. Based on these tests, EOR-2095 and SURFATEX® CBS were selected for conducting further analysis.
- Table 1 Provided below in Table 1 is an example of the composition of the synthetic seawater. The different compounds were added in grams as shown in Table 1 to make one liter of synthetic seawater. [0081] Table 1
- FIG. 2 shows an example of a method for the preparation of the nanosurfactant mixture.
- a process for the preparation of nanosurfactant (stock solution) using a zwitterionic co-surfactant and petroleum sulfonate with mineral oil A 5% stock solution of EOR-2095 surfactant was prepared by dissolving commercial 50 g of EOR- 2095 in 900 milliliters (mL) of deionized water and adjusting the volume to 1000 mL with more deionized water once the dissolution is complete.
- a 4% stock solution of the zwitterionic co-surfactant was prepared by dissolving 40 g of the STRX commercial co-surfactant in 900 mL of deionized water and adjusting the volume to 1000 mL with more deionized water once the dissolution is complete. About 100 mL of the 5% EOR-2095 stock and 125 mL of the 4% co- surfactant stock were mixed and 1000 mL of synthetic seawater was added followed by vigorous mixing. The nanosurfactant mixture does not include any hydrolyzed polyacrylamides.
- the ratio of petroleum sulfonate to the zwitterionic co-surfactant can be varied and optimized to meet the desired properties of the final product.
- Cryo-TEM was used to study the morphology of the nanosurfactant samples.
- About 20 microliters (pL) of the nanosurfactant mixture samples were deposited without dilution onto copper C-flat holey carbon grids (Product code: CF1.2/1.3-4C-T-50 from Electron Microscopy Sciences).
- the samples were blotted and frozen on a Gatan CP3 Cryoplunge in liquid ethane cooled with liquid nitrogen.
- Samples were mounted on the autoloader of an FEI Tecnai Arctica Field Emission Cryo-TEM (available at Center of Nanoscale Systems, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA). Low electron dose images were taken under 200 kilovolts accelerating voltage.
- spherical particles with dimeters ranging from 15 to 40 nm were observed for the nanosurfactant fluid. This result confirmed the size of the nanosurfactant particles being in the range required for better transportability in tight reservoir rocks.
- FIG. 4A shows the nanosurfactant suspension after being stored for 4 months at room temperature
- FIG. 4B shows the nanosurfactant suspension following incubation in the oven at 100 °C after 4 months.
- the nanosurfactant suspensions were still as stable as the suspensions at room temperature, as seen by the lack of phase separation. The color and turbidity of the oven-incubated and room-temperature samples did not change significantly.
- DLS Dynamic Light Scattering
- FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of the particle size of the nanosurfactant particles with the petroleum sulfonate and the zwitterionic co-surfactant as measured during the heating and cooling cycles.
- the size of the nanosurfactant particles with the zwitterionic co-surfactant decreases with increasing temperature and remains small after cooling. Similar behavior was observed at different seawater dilutions as shown in FIGS. 6A- 6C
- FIGS. 6A-6C are graphical representations of the particle size of the nanosurfactant particles when diluted with seawater as measured during the heating and cooling cycles.
- FIG. 6A shows the particle size of the nanosurfactant particles in the fluid that was not diluted with any further seawater.
- FIG. 6B shows the particle size of the nanosurfactant particles in the fluid that was diluted with seven parts of seawater and
- FIG. 6C shows the particle size of the nanosurfactant particles in the fluid that was diluted with fifteen parts of seawater.
- IFT reduction One of the most important characteristics that determine the efficiency of a surfactant treatment in EOR is the IFT reduction.
- the IFT between crude oil and an aqueous solution i.e. nanosurfactant-containing fluid
- M6500 spinning drop interfacial tensiometer
- the solution to be tested was filled in a capillary tube and a drop of filtered UTMN crude oil (from Uthmaniyah oil field) was spun at about 4000 revolutions per minute (rpm) at 90 °C.
- the diameter of the oil droplet was recorded every 5 minutes for around 30 minutes and used to calculate the IFT based on known density deference, temperature, speed, and the drop diameter.
- p 0 density of oil in g/cm 3
- n refractive index of the aqueous solution
- the IFT was measured for nanosurfactant samples and for fluids containing the zwitterionic co-surfactant alone.
- Table 2 and FIG. 7 show the IFT results for the nanosurfactant samples and for the zwitterionic co-surfactant alone. Extremely low IFT was observed for nanosurfactant sample as compared to the fluid containing the zwitterionic cosurfactant alone.
- These results signify that the reduction in IFT is mainly due to the cumulative functionality of the petroleum surfactant, the zwitterionic co-surfactant, and the mineral oil. This significant reduction of IFT results in better capillary action, and thus better mobilization of oil by the flood fluids compared to conventional surfactants.
- the results also signify the key role of petroleum sulfonates, which could only be made stable in seawater via transformation into nanosurfactants, and consequently used in oil recovery applications at high temperature and elevated salinities.
- interfacial tension evaluation was conducted after the nanosurfactant composition was kept in the oven for more than 4 months at 100 °C. About 5 mL of the sample was taken from the tube and the rest of the sample was sealed tightly and returned to the oven. The results were compared with the IFT values for the same sample that was measured previously before being incubated in the oven. Table 3 and FIG. 8 show the IFT results for the nanosurfactant composition before (two independent runs) and after being in the oven at 100 °C for more than four months. As mentioned previously, the stability experiments revealed that the nanosurfactant composition was stable during this period. The IFT values of the nanosurfactant composition are almost identical (within acceptable measurements error), confirming the long-term functionality and thermal stability of the nanosurfactant composition.
- FIGS. 9A and 9B The results are summarized in FIGS. 9A and 9B.
- the IFT between seawater and crude oil mostly decreases when the concentration of the zwitterionic co-surfactant decreases.
- FIG. 9B the IFT between seawater and crude oil decreases almost monotonically with decreasing concentration of the nanosurfactant mixture, while it reaches a minimum with nanosurfactant mixture at about 1:4 dilution.
- the lower the IFT the larger the capillary number, so the nanosurfactant fluid has an increased ability to mobilize the oil with seawater.
- the IFT values of the nanosurfactant composition are about two orders of magnitude lower than the IFT values of a fluid with the zwitterionic co-surfactant alone.
- EOR-2095 To evaluate the role of mineral oil on IFT, a clear brown solution of EOR-2095 (2.5 wt %) was formed by mixing 2 g of oil-free petroleum sulfonate with 19.5 mL of deionized water. Mineral oil was intentionally removed from EOR-2095. The sample was sonicated using a probe sonicator for few minutes followed by using the ultrasonic bath for around 40 minutes with heating the sample at 60 °C.
- This oil-free petroleum sulfonate (2.5 wt %) was used with the zwitterionic co-surfactant (4 wt %) and seawater to prepare two samples with the ratios 1:1:10 and 1 : 1.25 : 10 for petroleum sulfonate: the zwitterionic co-surfactant: seawater.
- the IFT was measured for theses samples for around 30 minutes and compared to the IFT for the zwitterionic co-surfactant-nanosurfactant (stock).
- Example 5 Testing the effect of the soluble fraction of the petroleum sulfonate on the IFT
- An experiment was done using two different filtration options to address a concern about how much the soluble fraction of the petroleum sulfonate affects the IFT value with crude oil.
- About 10 mL of the 5 wt % EOR-2095 was mixed with 12.5 mL deionized water and 100 mL seawater.
- Sample was set for an hour and precipitated chunks were filtered by a filter paper under vacuum and IFT was measured for this supernatant. The other part of the sample was further filtered using a 0.22 pm syringe filter, then IFT was measured again.
- a solution of 5 wt % petroleum sulfonates was prepared by mixing 50 g of EOR- 2095 with 950 mL deionized water, as shown in FIG. 13A. The mixture was stirred for about 10 minutes to ensure complete dissolution. About 10 g of petroleum sulfonates/deionized water was added to 50 mL seawater to form precipitates of calcium and magnesium petroleum sulfonate (FIGS. 13B and 13C). The mixture was kept for some time, then the precipitates were filtered and dried under vacuum in the desiccator for several days. After drying, 0.5 g of the waxy sample, as shown in FIG.
- FIG. 13D was mixed with 5 mL of UTMN crude oil forming petroleum sulfonates/oil, as shown in FIG. 13E.
- the IFT values of the petroleum sulfonates/oil mixture and seawater only as well as seawater containing the zwitterionic co-surfactant were measured.
- FIG. 14 shows that the IFT values for the oil-seawater (SW) is greater in the presence of the zwitterionic co-surfactant. This result confirms that the reduction of the oilseawater IFT is not due to any soluble fraction of petroleum sulfonate that may coexist in the nanosurfactant composition.
- FIG. 16A shows the phase behavior results under normal light for the nanosurfactant composition after being incubated in the oven at 100 °C for one week.
- FIG. 16B shows the phase behavior results under normal light for the fluid containing the zwitterionic co-surfactant alone after being incubated in the oven at 100 °C for one week.
- FIGS. 16C and 16D show the images of the samples in FIGS. 16A and 16B, respectively, when exposed to UV light.
- FIG. 17 shows a schematic of the experimental set up.
- FIGS. 18A and 18B show the phase behavior of the zwitterionic co-surfactant and seawater using petroleum sulfonates/oil immediately after set up.
- FIGS. 18C and 18D show the phase behavior of the zwitterionic cosurfactant and seawater using petroleum sulfonates/oil after one hour at 100 °C.
- control samples were separate tubes of 10 mL of the nanosurfactant solution and 10 mL of the zwitterionic co-surfactant solution. Tubes were shaken 10 times and placed in the oven for 24 hours at 100 °C. Samples were removed from the oven and 3 mL from the supernatant were collected in centrifuge tubes. Samples were centrifuged for 30 minutes at 3000 rpm, and about 2 mL of the supernatant (uppermost layer) was collected from each centrifuge tube into separate clean test tubes. NMR measurements were done on the supernatant samples. As shown in FIGS. 19A-19C, the J H NMR spectra for five different formulations with suppressed/removed H2O signal are present.
- the first spectrum from the top is EOR-2095 oil fraction/CDCh for the mineral oil fraction which was removed from EOR-2095 sample and dissolved in deuteriated chloroform.
- the second spectrum from the top is EOR-2095/10% D2O for commercial EOR-2095 dissolved in 10% deuterium oxide (D2O) in water.
- the third spectrum from the top is STRX/10% D2O for Surfatex CBS dissolved in 10% deuterium oxide in water.
- the fourth spectrum from the top is oil-free EOR-2095/10% D2O for EOR-2095 with originally present mineral oil removed from it and EOR-2095 fractions dissolved in 10% D2O in water.
- the last spectrum is NSS20150614 / 10% D2O for nanosurfactant formulations in 10 wt % deuterium oxide in water.
- the nanosurfactant mixture (spectrum at the bottom) has two regions (presented by the left hand side and right hand side dashed rectangles), where the signals of the individual ingredients (peaks at 3-4 ppm coming from Surfatex CBS and 6.6-8.0 ppm from EOR-2095) did not overlap and could be integrated with sufficient accuracy.
- FIG. 19B and FIG. 19C are expanded visualizations of the J H NMR spectra between 6.3 and 8 ppm and between 0 and 4.2 ppm, respectively.
- the tubes were cooled to room temperature and 3 mL aliquots of the supernatants were withdrawn. The aliquots were placed in disposable polyethylene centrifuge test tubes and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 30 minutes. Aliquots of the resulting supernatants (0.9 mL) were withdrawn using an Eppendorf micropipette and mixed with a standard solution of maleic acid (0.1 mL, 0.10 g of maleic acid in 11.08 g of D2O) as an internal reference in scintillation vials. Then about 0.7 mL aliquots of the mixed solutions were transferred to the NMR tubes for measurements.
- a standard solution of maleic acid 0.1 mL, 0.10 g of maleic acid in 11.08 g of D2O
- the J H NMR spectra were measured on Bruker Avance spectrometer operating at 400 MHz. To suppress the water peak, each spectrum was induced with an excitation sculpting pulse sequence using the standard (zgespg) program from the Bruker pulse library. A 4000 Hz acquisition window centered at the peak of the water signal (about 4.7 ppm) was used and 64 scans were collected for each sample with a 3 second delay between the scans. The integral of maleic acid (sharp singlet at 6.45 ppm) was given the value of 1000 for every sample and the other integrals were referenced to it. As shown in FIGS.
- the residual amounts of EOR-2095 and the zwitterionic co-surfactant were determined by dividing the corresponding integral values for the rock exposed samples by the integral values for the control samples (Safter/Sbefore), where is Sa corresponds for amount of EOR-2095, Sb for amount of Surfatex CBS, and Sc for combined amount of EOR-2095 with Surfatex CBS.
- FIGS. 20A and 20B are 'H NMR spectra of samples of the nanosurfactant composition collected before and after contact with powdered Arab-D outcrop rock, respectively.
- the loss of surfactants due to adsorption when using the nanosurfactant composition (STRX-NS) was quantified from these J H NMR spectra.
- FIG. 23 is a difference spectrum based on the ’H NVIR spectra of samples of the nanosurfactant-containing fluid before and after contact with powdered Arab-D outcrop rock, respectively.
- FIG. 21A and 21B are 'H NMR spectra of samples of a fluid containing the zwitterionic co-surfactant collected before and after contact with powdered Arab-D outcrop rock, respectively.
- FIG. 22 is a series of difference spectra based on the J H NMR spectra of samples of a fluid containing the zwitterionic co-surfactant collected before and after contact with powdered Arab-D outcrop rock, respectively.
- the red line is the spectrum for surfactant solution before exposure to rock and the blue line is the spectrum for surfactant solution after exposure to rock.
- the green line is the difference spectrum that supports the measurement of the amount of surfactant retained on the powdered Arab-D outcrop.
- NMR results in FIGS. 21A and 21B showed significant difference between loss values for integrals B and C in the pure the zwitterionic co-surfactant sample, indicating that components of the surfactant containing long aliphatic chain (C11H23 on average, integral C) are adsorbed preferentially.
- the signals in area B (2.8-4.0 ppm) correspond to the short diamine link derived from N,N-dimethyl-l,3- propanediamine, the aliphatic protons of the hydroxy sulfonate head group derived from 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropane sulfonic acid and byproducts derived from the same amine and sulfonic acid.
- FIGS. 24 and 25 and Table 9 summarize the results. As shown in Table 9, when the zwitterionic co-surfactant control was used alone, there was about 16% loss due to adsorption. When the nanosurfactant was used without the zwitterionic co-surfactant but still containing the petroleum sulfonates, then there was a 3% loss due to adsorption.
- FIG. 24 shows the adsorption of the active ingredients onto the rock grains in mg/g and FIG. 25 on a percentage basis for the same samples.
- FIG. 26C is a graphical representation of the results from THE IFT evaluation of the nanosurfactant mixture with the petroleum sulfonate, the zwitterionic co-surfactant, and mineral oil. It is also important to note that in FIG. 26C, there is an increase in IFT to 0.43 mN/m caused by removing the mineral oil as compared to the previously reported IFT value of 0.3 mN/m for the zwitterionic co-surfactant-nanosurfactant containing mineral oil data. This result signifies the importance of the mineral oil in aiding the reduction of the IFT induced by the nanosurfactant mixture containing the zwitterionic co-surfactant, and also points out the possibilities of using different oils.
- the nanosurfactant formulation containing the zwitterionic co-surfactant was subjected to further evaluation of oil recovery using several core plugs (17) from Arab-D reservoir. Routine core analysis was conducted and the petrophysical parameters, such as dimensions, porosity, permeability and pore volume were measured. For the first composite, three core plugs were selected based on their permeability, computed tomography (CT) scan and NMR data. The plugs were arranged as shown in FIG. 27. A schematic illustration of the experimental instrumentation 2800 is shown in FIG. 28. Four different vessels 2801, 2802, 2803, and 2804 are part of the instrumentation 2800.
- CT computed tomography
- the vessels 2801, 2802, 2803, and 2804 were filled up with dead oil, live oil, synthetic seawater, and nanosurfactant composition, respectively, and the flow of these fluids is controlled by a flow control module 2805.
- the coreflooding experiment was performed using core sample holder 2806 at reservoir temperature (90 °C) with a flow rate of 0.5 cubic centimeter per minute. During the test, the differential pressure, oil, and water production were recorded in 30 second intervals. This data was used to calculate the incremental oil recovery.
- the experimental instrumentation 2800 includes a delta pressure module 2807, capable of delivering low delta pressure, or medium delta pressure, or high delta pressure, and in fluid communication with the core sample holder 2806.
- the experimental instrumentation 2800 also includes an air inlet 2808 and a water inlet 2809 that are supplied to a confining pressure module 2810.
- This module 2810 is in fluid communication with the core sample holder 2806.
- Effluent from the core sample holder 2806 is supplied to a sample analysis module 2811.
- separators, back-pressure modulators, filters, pressure and temperature sensors, valves, pumps, heating elements and cooling elements that are in fluid communication with various components of the experimental instrumentation 2800 and are known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
- FIG. 29A shows the oil recovery results using the nanosurfactant composition.
- FIG. 29B shows the expanded view of the core flooding results after the original oil-in-place recovery. Around 70% of original oil-in-place was recovered by seawater flooding. After injecting the nanosurfactant formulation, about 7% of additional oil was recovered. The incremental increase in oil recovery took place shortly after injecting the nanosurfactant slug, but at a low rate. Later, when the flow rate was increased to 2 mL/min, there was a significant increase in the rate of oil recovery.
- a functionalized zwitterionic copolymer was formulated by the following process. 2 g (equivalent to 21.25 mmol) of 1 -vinyl imidazole, 0.406 g (equivalent to 2.36 mmol) of 4- trifluoromethylsytrene), 0.0388 g of 1 mol % (equivalent to 0.236 mmol) azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), and 5 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were combined in a Schlenk tube with a magnetic stir bar.
- AIBN azobisisobutyronitrile
- DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide
- the reaction mixture was degassed using freeze-pump-thaw cycling for three cycles, sealed under a static inert atmosphere, and stirred at 60 °C for about 4 days.
- the resulting light yellow viscous mixture was cooled and diluted by adding methanol.
- the mixture was twice precipitated using acetone then dried overnight to produce a precursor copolymer poly (vinyl imidazole-co-4-trifluoromethylstyrene) (0.95:0.05), which was a clear hard light yellow solid.
- Example 9 A sample nanosurfactant composition, including the petroleum sulfonate, the zwitterionic co-surfactant, and the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer (formulated by the process shown in Example 8), and the mineral oil, was formulated by the following process.
- a PETRONATE® HL/L sodium sulfonate mixture (Sonnebom LLC, Parsippany, NJ) was used as the source for the petroleum sulfonate and the oil.
- the petroleum sulfonate mixture had a sulfonate content ranging between 61 wt % and 63 wt %.
- the mixture had an oil content ranging between 31 wt % and 35 wt %.
- a 5 wt % petroleum sulfonate mixture was prepared by mixing 80 g of the PETRONATE® HL/L sodium sulfonate mixture with 900 mL of deionized water and adjusting the volume to 1,000 mL with additional deionized water.
- a 4 wt % aqueous zwitterionic co-surfactant solution was prepared by dissolving 91 g of the STRX co-surfactant (containing cocamidopropyl hydroxy sultaine) in 900 mL of deionized water and adjusting the volume to 1,000 mL with additional deionized water once the dissolution was complete.
- a 5 wt % aqueous functionalized zwitterionic copolymer solution was prepared by dissolving 50 g of the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer formulated in Example 8 in 900 mL of deionized water and adjusting the volume to 1000 mL with additional deionized water once the dissolution was complete. About 10 mL of the 5 wt % petroleum sulfonate mixture, about 15 mL of the 4 wt % aqueous zwitterionic co-surfactant solution, and about lO mL of the 5 wt % aqueous functionalized zwitterionic copolymer solution were vigorously mixed to form a suspension.
- sample nanosurfactant composition including the nanoassemblies.
- the sample nanosurfactant composition had a petroleum sulfonate content of about 0.1 wt %.
- the sample nanosurfactant composition had a zwitterionic co-surfactant content of about 0.12 wt %.
- the sample nanosurfactant composition had a functionalized zwitterionic copolymer content of about 0.1 wt %.
- the sample nanosurfactant composition had an oil content ranging between about 0.002 wt % and about 0.02 wt %.
- the sample nanosurfactant composition had an organic content of about 0.32 wt %.
- a control nanosurfactant composition was also formulated using the above process but in the absence of the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer.
- the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer solution was substituted with an identical volume of deionized water.
- the control nanosurfactant composition had a nanoassembly content of about 0.2 wt %.
- Example 9 The dynamic retention of the nanosurfactant compositions of Example 9 in carbonates was studied by flooding a limestone core plug.
- the composition of the effluent was determined by total organic carbon (TOC) analysis.
- the core plug had a 1.5 inch diameter and a 3 inch length. Limestone was used as a carbonate source.
- the permeability of the core plug was about 200 milliDarcy.
- the pore volume of the core plug was about 12.5 mL.
- the core plug was set in a vertical, bottom-to-top configuration. Temperature of the core plug was maintained at about 93 °C.
- sample nanosurfactant composition Twelve pore volumes of the sample nanosurfactant composition were injected into the core plug at an injection flow rate of about 0.5 mL/min, a core pressure of about 3,200 psi, and a confining pressure of about 4,200 psi. Subsequently, 35 pore volumes of the synthetic seawater were injected into the core plug. The core flooding experiment was repeated using the control nanosurfactant composition.
- FIG. 31A shows a graphical representation of a breakthrough curve of a core flooding experiment using the sample nanosurfactant composition of Example 9.
- the horizontal axis represents the quantity of pore volumes (corresponding to time) injected into the limestone core plug.
- the left hand side of the vertical axis represents the normalized surfactant concentration determined by conducting TOC analysis of the effluent.
- the right hand side of the vertical axis represents the total mass of surfactants recovered from the effluent.
- the sample nanosurfactant composition was injected into the core plug starting at about 1-2 pore volumes represented by the left hand side vertical dashed line.
- the seawater flush was conducted after about 14 pore volumes of the sample nanosurfactant composition was injected, represented by the right hand side vertical dashed line.
- the total mass recovered in the effluent for the sample nanosurfactant composition was greater than about 80%.
- the normalized concentration of the effluent was maintained at about 100% after the initial breakthrough of the sample nanosurfactant composition into the core plug, suggesting that adsorption on surfaces of the core plug was minimal.
- FIG. 31B shows a graphical representation of a breakthrough curve of a core flooding experiment using the control nanosurfactant composition of Example 9.
- the horizontal axis represents the quantity of pore volumes (corresponding to time) injected into the limestone core plug.
- the left hand side of the vertical axis represents the normalized surfactant concentration determined by conducting TOC analysis of the effluent.
- the right hand side of the vertical axis represents the total mass of surfactants recovered from the effluent.
- the control nanosurfactant composition was injected into the core plug starting at about 0-1 pore volumes represented by the left hand side vertical dashed line.
- the seawater flush was conducted after at about 12 pore volumes of the control nanosurfactant composition was injected, represented by the right hand side vertical dashed line.
- the total mass recovered in the effluent for the control nanosurfactant composition was less than about 35%.
- the normalized concentration of the effluent was maintained at about 40% after the initial breakthrough of the control nanosurfactant composition into the core plug, suggesting that significant adsorption occurred on surfaces of the core plug.
- FIG. 31A and 31B show that the sample nanosurfactant composition exhibits less retention on the limestone than the control nanosurfactant composition, resulting in a greater recovery (greater than two-fold) of total mass in the effluent.
- FIG. 32 is a graphical representation showing the dynamic retention of the sample nanosurfactant composition and the control nanosurfactant composition of Example 9.
- the vertical axis represents the dynamic retention on the limestone core plug in units of milligrams of the nanosurfactant per grams of the limestone (mg/g).
- the acceptable range of surfactant retention is known to be less than about 1 mg/g.
- the dynamic retention of the control nanosurfactant composition was about 0.979 mg/g.
- the dynamic retention of the sample nanosurfactant composition was about 0.319 mg/g, which was about 67% less than that of the control nanosurfactant composition.
- the results show that the functionalized zwitterionic copolymer in the nanosurfactant composition takes a significant role in reducing the dynamic retention on carbonates.
- Ranges may be expressed here as from about one particular value and to about another particular value. Where the range of values is described or referenced here, the interval encompasses each intervening value between the upper limit and the lower limit as well as the upper limit and the lower limit and includes smaller ranges of the interval subject to any specific exclusion provided. Where a method comprising two or more defined steps is recited or referenced here, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously except where the context excludes that possibility. While various embodiments have been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, they are not to be construed as limiting, but are intended to cover all the changes and modifications within the spirit and scope thereof.
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US20090011960A1 (en) * | 2007-07-04 | 2009-01-08 | An Ming Wu | Drilling fluid composition comprising hydrophobically associating polymers and methods of use thereof |
EP2488488B1 (en) * | 2009-10-15 | 2013-11-20 | E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company | Methods using amphoteric surfactants |
US20180346798A1 (en) * | 2017-03-09 | 2018-12-06 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Nanosurfactants for improved and enhanced oil recovery applications |
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US20090011960A1 (en) * | 2007-07-04 | 2009-01-08 | An Ming Wu | Drilling fluid composition comprising hydrophobically associating polymers and methods of use thereof |
EP2488488B1 (en) * | 2009-10-15 | 2013-11-20 | E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company | Methods using amphoteric surfactants |
US20180346798A1 (en) * | 2017-03-09 | 2018-12-06 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Nanosurfactants for improved and enhanced oil recovery applications |
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