The Potential Applications in Heavy Oil EOR with the Nanoparticle and Surfactant Stabilized Solvent-Based Emulsion

Abstract

This study presents the results of nano-particle and surfactant-stabilized solvent-based emulsion bench test studies under laboratory conditions that investigate the recovery mechanisms of chemical flooding in a heavy oil reservoir. In the study, bench tests, including the phase behavior test, rheology studies and interfacial tension measurement are performed and reported for the optimum selecting method for the nano-emulsion which is going to be applied in the coreflooding experiments. Specifically, nanoemulsion systems have been mixed with Alaska North Slope West Sak heavy oil with 16 API°, which was dewatered in the laboratory condition, to investigate the rheology change during this process. The experiment results suggest that the potential application of this kind of emulsion flooding is a promising EOR process for some heavy oil reservoirs in Alaska, Canada and Venezuela after primary production. Heavy oil lacks mobility under reservoir conditions and is not suitable for the application of the thermal recovery method because of environmental issues or technical problems. The idea of nano-particle application in an EOR area has been recently raised by researchers who are interested in its feature- reaction catalysis-which could reduce in situ oil viscosity and generate emulsion without surfactant. Also, the nano-particle stabilized emulsions can long-distance drive oil in the reservoir, since the nano-particle size is 2-4 times smaller than the pore throat. In conclusion, the nano-emulsion can be an effective enhancement option for an oil recovery method in a heavy oil reservoir which is technically sensitive to the thermal recovery method.

Application of Nanoparticles in Enhanced Oil Recovery: A Critical Review of Recent Progress

“…Qiu et al [130] evaluated the potential application of NP-stabilized solvent base emusion injection to enhance heavy oil recovery in the Alaska North Slope area. The experimental results showed that addition of NPs to micro-emulsions increased the viscosity of the micro-emulsion, resulting in a favorable mobility ratio.…”

A review on applications of nanotechnology in the enhanced oil recovery part A: effects of nanoparticles on interfacial tension

“…The presence of suspended nanoparticles in the solution increases sedimentation stability, because surface forces easily counterbalance the force of gravity. In addition, it is obvious that surfactants contribute to the stability of nanoparticles and emulsions to decrease IFT [65,87].…”

Investigation of synergy between nanoparticle and surfactant in stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions for improved heavy oil recovery

“…The study of the emulsion stability and phase behavior are reported and the emulsion's piston-like front flooding is observed. Qiu and Mamora [25,26] In view of the surfactant-stabilized emulsions cannot withstand harsh reservoir conditions and has low viscosity, this study takes advantage of the synergistic effect of silica nanoparticle and surfactant, which can not only improve the emulsions stability, but can also significantly increase the bulk viscosity of emulsion to the desirable mobility. Thus, the nanoparticle-surfactant stabilized emulsion will be less prone to viscous fingering and should lead to improved sweep efficiency.…”