Study of polyacrylamide-surfactant system on the water–oil interface properties and rheological properties for EOR

Abstract

Nowadays, due to the remarkable oil reduction in oil fields, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques have been considered by a large number of scientists and company. Situ oil extraction is normally done by these techniques with high efficiency. In this particular study, five different surface active agents (surfactant), two kinds of oil with various API, two kinds of sulfonated polyacrylamide, two different electrolyte solutions with various TDS and two distinctive alcohols were tested and evaluated. An optimal formulation in terms of the properties and quantity of materials has to be used in order to enhance oil recovery, achieved by investigation of surface tension and the phase behavior of mentioned substances. Rheological behavior of polymer flooding and surfactant was studied. Employing this formulation, the maximum micro emulsion of oil in water occurred. Due to the synergy between surfactant and alcohol (as a co-surfactant), relatively lower amounts of surfactants were used which led to the dip in the cost of operation, and ultimately the efficiency of operation improved.

Keywords

• Polyacrylamide
• Surfactants
• Phase behavior
• Micro emulsion
• Rheological behavior
• Properties of water/oil interface