Experimental Study on Surfactant–Polymer Flooding After Viscosity Reduction for Heavy Oil in Matured Reservoir

Xiaoran Chen, Qingfeng Hou (), Yifeng Liu, Gaohua Liu, Hao Zhang, Haojie Sun, Zhuoyan Zhu and Weidong Liu
Additional contact information
Xiaoran Chen: School of Engineering Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Qingfeng Hou: PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development (RIPED), Beijing 100083, China
Yifeng Liu: PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development (RIPED), Beijing 100083, China
Gaohua Liu: PetroChina Liaohe Oilfield Company, Panjin 124010, China
Hao Zhang: College of Safety and Ocean Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
Haojie Sun: College of Safety and Ocean Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
Zhuoyan Zhu: PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development (RIPED), Beijing 100083, China
Weidong Liu: Institute of Porous Flow and Fluid Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Langfang 065007, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: An advanced enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method was investigated, employing a surfactant–polymer (SP) system in combination with a viscosity reducer for application in a heavy oil reservoir within the Haiwaihe Block, Liaohe Oilfield, in China. Significant advantages were observed through the combination of LPS-3 (an anionic surfactant) and OAB (a betaine surfactant) in reducing interfacial tension and enhancing emulsion stability, with the optimal results achieved at the ratio of 9:1. The BRH-325 polymer was found to exhibit superior viscosity enhancement, temperature resistance, and long-term stability. Graphene nanowedges were utilized as a viscosity reducer, leading to a viscosity reduction in heavy oil of 97.43%, while stability was maintained over a two-hour period. The efficacy of the combined system was validated through core flooding experiments, resulting in a recovery efficiency improvement of up to 32.7%. It is suggested that the integration of viscosity reduction and SP flooding could serve as a promising approach for improving recovery in mature heavy oil reservoirs, supporting a transition toward environmentally sustainable, non-thermal recovery methods.

Keywords: heavy oil; viscosity reduction; enhanced oil recovery; polymer; surfactant (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: 2025
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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