Insights into Nanoparticles, Electrokinetics and Hybrid Techniques on Improving Oil Recovered in Carbonate Reservoirs

Md Motiur Rahman, Mohammed Haroun, Mohammed Al Kobaisi, Minkyun Kim, Abhijith Suboyin, Bharat Somra, Jassim Abubacker Ponnambathayil and Soham Punjabi
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Md Motiur Rahman: Petroleum Engineering Department, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
Mohammed Haroun: Petroleum Engineering Department, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
Mohammed Al Kobaisi: Petroleum Engineering Department, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
Minkyun Kim: Petroleum Engineering Department, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
Abhijith Suboyin: Petroleum Engineering Department, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
Bharat Somra: Petroleum Engineering Department, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
Jassim Abubacker Ponnambathayil: Petroleum Engineering Department, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
Soham Punjabi: Petroleum Engineering Department, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-25

Abstract: Use of nanoparticles as a method for enhancing oil recoveries has become an attractive prospect. Experimental evidence has shown that this technique possesses the ability to improve recoveries via wettability alteration and interfacial tension reduction amongst other strategies. In this study, we analyze the potential of nanoparticles employed in coreflood experiments. Low concentration acid was added to aid in the dispersion of the nanoparticles in the brine by protecting them from being aggregated, while enhancing the stimulation of the tight porous media. Electrokinetics was also implemented following a sequential as well as a simultaneous approach to further stimulate the fluids injected, controlling their mobility, and therefore, increasing the depth of penetration within the porous media. Several coreflood experiments were carried out on highly heterogeneous carbonate samples of Middle Eastern origin with permeabilities of around 0.1 mD. Zeta potential measurements were conducted on the inlet side of the preserved core-plugs after the conclusion of each coreflood. The findings indicated a close connection between the rate of wettability alteration observed over the duration of nano-acid fluid injection and mode of electrokinetic application. The best performing nano-acid fluids correlated with the highest shift in the magnitude of the zeta potential across all tested strategies. Results show that oil recovered via this hybrid technique was mostly 10–15% higher than that derived when only smart brine was employed.

Keywords: enhanced oil recovery; coreflooding; nanoparticles; electrokinetics; carbonates (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: 2022
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