Experimental study of combined microemulsion/brine flooding to EOR in carbonate reservoirs

Dantas, Tereza Neuma de Castro; Souza, Tamyris Thaise Costa de; Rodrigues, Marcos Allyson Felipe; Neto, Afonso Avelino Dantas; Aum, Pedro Tupã Pandava

doi:10.1080/01932691.2020.1845200

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…This suggests that there is a limiting action of surfactants in reducing these parameters. Similar behavior to this was reported by de Castro Dantas et al, who found a less significant reduction in surface tension for their system from the 9% concentration of the non-ionic surfactant (Ultramine).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Analyzing the data in Table , it can be seen that the surface and interfacial tension values for the MS1, MS2, and MS3 systems are equivalent since their variations fall within experimental error. This behavior is due to the high amounts of micelles in these systems, which are certainly above the saturation percentage, as reported by de Castro Dantas et al …”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 72%

“…It is also possible to observe that as the amount of active matter grows, the size of the droplets increases. The increase in the amount of surfactants in the medium can promote the formation of larger aggregates …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When compared to a surfactant solution, microemulsions have a greater capacity for reducing interfacial tensions and altering rock wettability. This makes them favorable for use as an enhanced recovery method. − …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pal et al (2019) applied a microemulsion-containing surfactant derived from Jatropha oil in the recovery of an average oil; the authors managed to increase the recovery factor by 35% compared to the use of water flooding. de Castro Dantas et al (2020) studied different combinations between brine and a microemulsion system for the recovery of a light oil, obtaining residual oil recovery values of up to 79% with the injection of both fluids.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Study on Steam and Microemulsion Alternate Injection for Enhanced Productivity in Heavy Oil Fields

et al. 2023

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Steam injection is widely used as an enhanced oil recovery method for heavy oil fields; however, its efficiency normally decreases in late injection stages. Recent studies have suggested that steam and chemicals together have a potential to increase oil recovery. Despite the use of microemulsion alone has been previously made as a chemical enhanced oil recovery technique, steam and microemulsion alternated injection has not been reported yet. Thus, the present study evaluates this recovery method as an innovative way to optimize heavy oil recovery in sandstone reservoirs. Three microemulsions were produced using Ultranex NP100 (surfactant), n-butanol (cosurfactant), kerosene (oil phase), and synthetic produced water (aqueous phase), by varying surfactant concentrations. The viscosity, stability, surface tension, and interfacial tension of these systems were analyzed and assessed. Berea sandstone was used to represent sandstone reservoirs, in which the effect of microemulsions on rock wettability was measured. Using a coreflooding system, rock plugs were initially saturated with heavy oil (°API 17.1; from Northeast Brazil). Nine enhanced oil recovery tests were performed using steam and microemulsion alternated injection. In the tests, the injection bank order and the surfactant concentration were evaluated. The results showed that the alternated injection of steam and microemulsion achieved recovery factors between 42.79 and 51.23%, which is higher than that by steam injection alone (33.63%). It was observed that oil recovery using steam injection followed by microemulsion showed a better performance due to a higher effectiveness of displacement mechanisms. Steam reduces oil viscosity, while microemulsions decrease interfacial tensions and alter the sandstone wettability. Additionally, oil recovery increases together with the surfactant concentration due to a higher micelle number. Therefore, this study proves that steam and microemulsion alternated injection is a novel and effective method for enhanced heavy oil recovery in sandstone reservoirs.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 72%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%