New Trends in Biosurfactants: From Renewable Origin to Green Enhanced Oil Recovery Applications
Dilshad Shaikhah,
Valeria Loise,
Ruggero Angelico,
Michele Porto,
Pietro Calandra,
Abraham A. Abe,
Flaviano Testa,
Concetta Bartucca,
Cesare Oliviero Rossi,
Paolino Caputo
Affiliations
Dilshad Shaikhah
Institute of Functional Surfaces, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
Valeria Loise
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci Cubo 14D, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
Ruggero Angelico
Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences (DIAAA), University of Molise, Via De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, CB, Italy
Michele Porto
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci Cubo 14D, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
Pietro Calandra
National Research Council, CNR-ISMN (National Research Council-Institute for the Study of Nanostructured Materials), Strada Provinciale 35D n.9–00010, 00010 Montelibretti, RM, Italy
Abraham A. Abe
Department of Chemistry, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, BA, Italy
Flaviano Testa
Department of Computer Engineering, Modeling, Electronics and Systems Engineering, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci Cubo 45A, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
Concetta Bartucca
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci Cubo 14D, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
Cesare Oliviero Rossi
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci Cubo 14D, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
Paolino Caputo
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci Cubo 14D, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes are technologies used in the oil and gas industry to maximize the extraction of residual oil from reservoirs after primary and secondary recovery methods have been carried out. The injection into the reservoir of surface-active substances capable of reducing the surface tension between oil and the rock surface should favor its extraction with significant economic repercussions. However, the most commonly used surfactants in EOR are derived from petroleum, and their use can have negative environmental impacts, such as toxicity and persistence in the environment. Biosurfactants on the other hand, are derived from renewable resources and are biodegradable, making them potentially more sustainable and environmentally friendly. The present review intends to offer an updated overview of the most significant results available in scientific literature on the potential application of biosurfactants in the context of EOR processes. Aspects such as production strategies, techniques for characterizing the mechanisms of action and the pros and cons of the application of biosurfactants as a principal method for EOR will be illustrated and discussed in detail. Optimized concepts such as the HLD in biosurfactant choice and design for EOR are also discussed. The scientific findings that are illustrated and reviewed in this paper show why general emphasis needs to be placed on the development and adoption of biosurfactants in EOR as a substantial contribution to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly oil and gas industry.
