Keywords: EOR, interfacial tension, nanocarriers, surfactant
The use organic surfactant nanocarriers as interfacial tension reducing agents is proposed in this work. These particles are able to permeate into the pores of the reservoir and release the surfactant by solubilization of the surfactant nanocarrier in the oil surface and consequently reducing the loss of surfactant by adsorption on the rock surface, as well as increasing the efficiency of the recovery process. Different types of nanoparticles were obtained and their morphology was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their size was measured by light scattering techniques (photon correlation spectroscopy – PCS). The efficiency of the process using the surfactant nanocarriers developed was evaluated by interfacial tension measurements between the aqueous nanoparticles suspensions and hydrocarbon mixtures using the Du Nouy ring and spinning drop methods.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: Technical Proceedings of the 2014 Clean Technology Conference and Trade Show
Published: June 15, 2014
Pages: 198 - 201
Industry sector: Energy & Sustainability
Topic: Materials for Oil & Gas
ISBN: 978-1-4822-5819-6