Identification and Evaluation of High-Performance EOR Surfactants (2006)

Identification and Evaluation of High-Performance EOR Surfactants D. B. Levitt; D. B. Levitt U. of Texas at Austin Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar A. C. Jackson; A. C. Jackson U. of Texas at Austin Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar C. Heinson; C. Heinson U. of Texas at Austin Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar L. N. Britton; L. N. Britton U. of Texas at Austin Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar T. Malik; T. Malik Intera Inc. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar V. Dwarakanath; V. Dwarakanath Intera Inc. Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar G. A. Pope G. A. Pope U. of Texas at Austin Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the SPE/DOE Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, April 2006. Paper Number: SPE-100089-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/100089-MS Published: April 22 2006 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Levitt, D. B., Jackson, A. C., Heinson, C., Britton, L. N., Malik, T., Dwarakanath, V., and G. A. Pope. "Identification and Evaluation of High-Performance EOR Surfactants." Paper presented at the SPE/DOE Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, April 2006. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/100089-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference Search Advanced Search Abstract We report results for a number of promising EOR surfactants based upon a fast, low-cost laboratory screening process that is highly effective in selecting the best surfactants to use with different crude oils. Initial selection of surfactants is based upon desirable surfactant structure. Phase behavior screening helps to quickly identify favorable surfactant formulations. Salinity scans are conducted to observe equilibration times, microemulsion viscosity, oil and water solubilization ratios and interfacial tension. Co-surfactants and co-solvents are included to minimize gels, liquid crystals and macroemulsions and to promote rapid equilibration to low-viscosity microemulsions. Branched alcohol propoxy sulfates, internal olefin sulfonates, and branched alpha olefin sulfonates have been identified as good EOR surfactants using this screening process. These surfactants are available at low cost and are compatible with both polymers and alkali such as sodium carbonate and thus are good candidates for both surfactant- polymer and alkali-surfactant-polymer EOR processes. One of the best formulations was tested in both sandstone and dolomite cores and found to give excellent oil recovery and low surfactant retention. Keywords: enhanced recovery, Phase Behavior, salinity, Upstream Oil & Gas, viscosity, solubilization ratio, chemical flooding methods, concentration, experiment, crude oil Subjects: Drilling Fluids and Materials, Reservoir Fluid Dynamics, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Formation Evaluation & Management, Unconventional and Complex Reservoirs, Drilling fluid selection and formulation (chemistry, properties), Flow in porous media, Waterflooding, Chemical flooding methods, Carbonate reservoirs Copyright 2006, Society of Petroleum Engineers You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.