Low-permeability
reservoirs are characterized by small pore size
and a complex strata structure that present challenges and opportunities
in recovering petroleum. In this study, a new nanofluid composed of
biosurfactant and silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles,
hereby called bionanofluid, was proposed as potentially enhanced oil
recovery agent to investigate the synergy of biosurfactant and nanoparticles
on oil displacement from low-permeability reservoirs. Turbiscan Lab
was used in stabilization analysis, wherein the concentration of biosurfactant
and SiO2 nanoparticles must be below the critical micelle
concentration and 1000 mg/L, respectively, thereby maintaining the
ideal state of the nano-system. Numerous tests, including spontaneous
imbibition, interfacial tension, micromodel test, and coreflooding
experiment were performed to evaluate oil displacement efficiency
of the bionanofluid. Sandstone pore plugs with different permeability
values were utilized during the study to ensure the represent ativeness
for the experiment. The results of spontaneous imbibition revealed
the potential of nano-flooding, depending on the composition of bionanofluid.
The experimental results showed the bionanofluid prepared by nanoparticle
and biosurfcant can alter the interface property of oil and water
better. The core flooding investigated that nanofluid composition,
exposure time, and injection scheme significantly affect the oil recovery
efficiency. In addition, the optimum various scenarios of bionanofluid
flooding were selected on the basis of the permeability of the core
plug. The mechanisms of nano-flooding for several typical residual
oils were expressed based on the micromodel test. This study shows
that using a biosurfactant stabilizes the nanoparticle suspension
and reduces the interfacial tension of oil and water, which has a
synergy with nanoparticles on oil displacement.
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