Application of Emulsions and Microemulsions in Enhanced Oil Recovery and Well Stimulation

Abstract

Hydrocarbons are produced and transported in a form of mixtures containing oil, gas, and water plus organic and inorganic contaminants. The flow presence of these contaminants (emulsifiers) with the continuous agitation from reservoirs up to surface facilities leads to formation of tight emulsions that need to be dealt with carefully to treat and process them adequately. Emulsions, in the other hand, are sometimes intentionally formed for using in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and well stimulation. In EOR, emulsions are formed and injected into the reservoirs for the objective of improving both the microscopic displacement efficiency and the macroscopic sweep efficiency, which leads to higher recovery factor. In well stimulation emulsified acids are used during matrix acidizing and acid fracturing to retard acid reaction with rocks, to generate deeper penetration inside the reservoir. Microemulsion is a form of emulsion with less droplet size, and hence higher stability, that occasionally used during EOR and hydraulic fracturing to further improve the reservoir recovery and well production rate. This chapter discusses the application of emulsions and microemulsions in petroleum industry. The chapter discusses emulsions, microemulsions, emulsification processes, application of emulsions and microemulsions in enhanced oil recovery and well stimulations, and ended with conclusions.