Title : Comparison of chemical and nanofluid flooding enhanced oil recovery schemes for Assam oil reservoirs
Abstract:
Chemical and nanofluid flooding schemes in oil reservoirs are promising with potential to recovery higher residual crude oil. Chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is attractive due to its economy whereas nanofluids EOR are evolving technique with improved efficacy in terms of oil recovery factor. The implication of either of the processes is dependent on reservoir characteristics and several critical parameters. Therefore in this work, we will discuss the critical parameters and mechanisms which govern the oil recovery factor considering Indian reservoirs conditions (Assam). The interfacial tension, emulsification, wettability behavior, rheological properties, oil displacement efficiency and adsorption characteristics were evaluated at different salinities and temperature and their roles towards cumulative oil recoveries considering economic aspects were estimated. The incorporation of nanoparticles over chemical EOR resulted in the formulation of nanoemulsion with reduced chemical adsorption, thus making it superior over chemical flooding EOR. An additional oil recovery in the range of 5-8% with nanofluid flooding was observed as compared to chemical EOR. However, the interfacial behavior of nanoparticles and their flow inside the reservoirs is crucial and thus requires optimum selection with consideration of additional cost for nanoparticles in nanofluid flooding EOR. Thus, the article discusses the comparison of residual oil recoveries with chemical and nanofluid flooding respectively and their execution in oil filed considering economic aspects.
