Application of Green Polymeric Nanocomposites for Enhanced Oil Recovery by Spontaneous Imbibition from Carbonate Reservoirs

Abstract

This study experimentally investigates the effect of green polymeric nanoparticles on the interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability of carbonate reservoirs to effectively change the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) parameters. This experimental study compares the performance of xanthan/magnetite/SiO2 nanocomposites (NC) and several green materials, i.e., eucalyptus plant nanocomposites (ENC) and walnut shell ones (WNC) on the oil recovery with performing series of spontaneous imbibition tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), and BET (Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller) surface analysis tests are also applied to monitor the morphology and crystalline structure of NC, ENC, and WNC. Then, the IFT and contact angle (CA) were measured in the presence of these materials under various reservoir conditions and solvent salinities. It was found that both ENC and WNC nanocomposites decreased CA and IFT, but ENC performed better than WNC under different salinities, namely, seawater (SW), double diluted salted (2 SW), ten times diluted seawater (10 SW), formation water (FW), and distilled water (DIW), which were applied at 70 °C, 2000 psi, and 0.05 wt.% nanocomposites concentration. Based on better results, ENC nanofluid at salinity concentrations of 10 SW and 2 SW ENC were selected for the EOR of carbonate rocks under reservoir conditions. The contact angles of ENC nanocomposites at the salinities of 2 SW and 10 SW were 49 and 43.4°, respectively. Zeta potential values were −44.39 and −46.58 for 2 SW and 10 SW ENC nanofluids, which is evidence of the high stability of ENC nanocomposites. The imbibition results at 70 °C and 2000 psi with 0.05 wt.% ENC at 10 SW and 2 SW led to incremental oil recoveries of 64.13% and 60.12%, respectively, compared to NC, which was 46.16%.

Copper Quantum Dot/Polyacrylamide Composite Nanospheres: Spreading on Quartz Flake Surfaces and Displacing Crude Oil in Microchannel Chips

“…The common types of nanoparticles used in EOR technology can be categorized as metal and its oxide nanoparticles [ 22 , 23 , 24 ], inorganic nanoparticles [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ], and organic nanoparticles [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. In his research, Shah [ 22 ] found that metal nanoparticles can reduce the viscosity of crude oil and can be used in thick oil extraction.…”

Application of a Novel Green Nano Polymer for Chemical EOR Purposes in Sandstone Reservoirs: Synergetic Effects of Different Fluid/Fluid and Rock/Fluid Interacting Mechanisms

“…Ahmadi et al used green polymeric nanocomposites for EOR in a carbonate oil reservoir. In their study, xanthan/magnetite/SiO 2 nanocomposites (NC), eucalyptus plant nanocomposites (ENCs), and walnut shell ones (WNC) were used and their efficiency for EOR was examined through IFT and CA measurement as well as spontaneous imbibition tests.…”