Foam Stability Enhanced Technology For Mobility Control Of CO2 EOR

Abstract

The latest CO2 foam technology reviews were conducted to understand recent research trends in CO2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR). In general, it is expected to improve CO2 sweep efficiency resulting in better oil recovery and prevention of early breakthrough. From CCUS point of views, the delay of gas breakthrough has a significant advantage in underground storage of industry-originated CO2. The reviews highlighted that various types of nanoadditives have been investigated to develop further advanced foam technology. Key points to be focused on are how achieving more robust foam stability. Even a conventional CO2 foam generated with surfactant agents might be deteriorated in short period, those additives can extend foam half-life time. As additives, the recent researches have paid attention to nano-particles, polymer, viscoelastic surfactant, etc. The investigation measured half-life, viscosity, and differential pressure in core flood as key performance indicators. In addition, "high temperature (HT)" and "high salinity (HS)" are keywords in their researches. Namely, screening criteria of experimental conditions are aiming to more harsh conditions. However, the reviewed reports have not covered up to our target conditions in typical Middle East region. Thus, we have been concentrating to develop nano-additive enhancing CO2 foam technology in HTHS.