Influence of MgO and Surface Modified SiO2 Nanoparticles on Emulsion Stability, Rheology, Energy Consumption, and Mobility of East Baghdad Crude Oil

Abstract

Emulsion formation is a natural phenomenon since crude oil is constantly produced in conjunction with water from the reservoir. Water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions have been claimed to be the most prevalent form of emulsion seen in the oil and gas industry. It can exhibit high viscosity, leading to challenges during pipeline transportation as well as in oil sector. In this paper, the effect of modified silica dioxide (SiO₂) and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles with different concentrations (1, 3, and 5 wt %) on the flow characteristics of east Baghdad crude oil emulsion have been investigated with water cut 35% v/v in a 0.0145 m inner diameter and 13 m length horizontal pipe. The effect of these nanoparticles on the emulsion stability, rheological, type, viscosity, and pressure drop as well as energy consumption was also studied. The rheology study found that best results were achieved by using modified nano silica at 1 and 3% addition, which resulted in significant reduction of viscosity with shear thinning behavior. Indeed, that the addition of modified nano silica decreased the pressure drop and the addition of 3% results in high stable emulsion and pump power consumption.