Application of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate for Enhanced Oil Recovery of Medium Crude Oil in the Niger Delta Fields

Abstract

This research work focuses on the performance of sodium lauryl sulfate as surfactant in enhanced oil recovery of medium crude oil in the Niger Delta fields. Characterization of the sodium lauryl sulfate (surfactant) was carried out to determine the functional groups and morphology of the sample. Different tests such as interfacial tension reduction and adsorption test were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the sample in enhanced oil recovery. Core-flooding experiment was performed using the sample to determine the potency of sodium lauryl sulfate in enhanced oil recovery process. The results from this work showed that incremental oil recoveries of 47.8 %, 54.6 % and 56.1 % using Berea core sample (C1F) and 49.3 %, 57.6 % and 58.5 % for core sample (C2F) was observed. The results showed that sodium lauryl sulfate achieve macroscopic sweep displacement efficiency via interfacial tension reduction between the surfactant slugs and the trapped oil which helps to improve oil production.