Study of Enhanced Oil Recovery and Adsorption Using Glycerol in Surfactant Solution

Fabiola D. S. Curbelo, Alfredo Ismael C. Garnica, Danilo F. Q. Leite, Amanda B. Carvalho, Raphael R. Silva and Evanice M. Paiva
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Fabiola D. S. Curbelo: Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba 58000-000, Brazil
Alfredo Ismael C. Garnica: Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba 58000-000, Brazil
Danilo F. Q. Leite: Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba 58000-000, Brazil
Amanda B. Carvalho: Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba 58000-000, Brazil
Raphael R. Silva: Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba 58000-000, Brazil
Evanice M. Paiva: Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Paraíba 58000-000, Brazil

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-11

Abstract: Over time, oil production in a reservoir tends to decrease, which makes it difficult to flow through the reservoir to the well, making its production increasingly difficult and costly. Due to their physical properties, such as reducing the water/oil interfacial tension, surfactants have been used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes, however, their adsorption presents as an undesirable and inevitable factor and can decrease the efficiency of the method. This work’s main objective is to evaluate the effect of glycerol in the adsorption of surfactants in sandstones, as well as in the recovery factor during EOR. Brine solutions containing the nonionic surfactant saponified coconut oil (SCO), with and without glycerol, were used in the adsorption and oil recovery tests in sandstone. Adsorption, recovery, rheological, and thermogravimetric analysis were carried out. Regarding the surfactant/glycerol/brine solution, there was an improvement in the oil mobility, as the glycerol contributed to an increase in the viscosity of the solution, thereby increasing the sweep efficiency. The recovery factor obtained for the surfactant solution with glycerol was satisfactory, being 53% higher than without glycerol, because it simultaneously provided an increase in viscosity and a decrease in interfacial tension, both of which are beneficial for the efficiency of the process.

Keywords: saponified coconut oil; glycerol; surfactant flooding; adsorption; enhanced oil recovery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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