Foam EOR as an Optimization Technique for Gas EOR: A Comprehensive Review of Laboratory and Field Implementations

Ayomikun Bello (), Anastasia Ivanova and Alexey Cheremisin
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Ayomikun Bello: Center for Petroleum Science and Engineering, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia
Anastasia Ivanova: Center for Petroleum Science and Engineering, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia
Alexey Cheremisin: Center for Petroleum Science and Engineering, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 121205, Russia

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 2, 1-52

Abstract: Foam-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is poised to become one of the most promising tertiary recovery techniques to keep up with the continuously increasing global energy demands. Due to their low sensitivity to gravity and permeability heterogeneities that improve sweep efficiency, foams are the preferred injection fluids over water or gas. Although foam injection has been used in the field to improve oil recovery and control gas mobility, its success is still hindered by several conceptual and operational challenges with regard to its stability and foamability under reservoir conditions. This can be attributed to the insufficient attention given to the mechanisms underlying foam generation and stability at the microscopic level in many studies. For a deeper understanding, this study reviews the most pertinent published works on foam-EOR. The major objective is to provide a broad basis for subsequent laboratory and field applications of foam-EOR. In this work, we highlighted foam classification and characterization, as well as the crucial factors impacting foam formation, stability, and oil recovery. Additionally, the principal mechanisms of foam generation are thoroughly explained. Finally, the most recent developments in foam generation and stability improvement are discussed. Foam-EOR is comprehensively reviewed in this work, with an emphasis on both theoretical and practical applications.

Keywords: foam; surfactants; nanoparticles; oil; recovery; mobility (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: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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