Improvement of Microemulsion Generation and Stability Using New Generation Chemicals and Nano Materials During Waterflooding as a Cost-Efficient Heavy-Oil Recovery Method

Abstract

This study focuses on the ability of complex colloidal solution to stabilize a heavy oil-brine Pickering emulsion by changing the activity at the interface between heavy oil and brine. After testing many different combinations of anionic and cationic surfactants and nano-particles, we formulated the best stability options and created oil-in-water Pickering emulsions stabilized by silica, a cationic surfactant [dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB)], and an anionic surfactant [alcohol propoxy sulfate (Alfoterra S23-7S-90)]. Then, various core flooding experiments were conducted in order to demonstrate the practical ability of the created emulsion system and observe its capacity to enhance oil recovery. Rate-dependency flooding tests were also conducted to determine the optimal flow rate required for heavy oil production through emulsification for different permeability media. Ultimately, slim tube sandpack flooding experiment at the optimal rate was conducted to confirm in-situ emulsion generation and to support the potential use of the chemical combination in the heavy oil industry.