Physical properties of emulsion systems with SiO2 nanoparticles

Abstract

One of the most relevant directions for research and development (R&D) in the area of oil and gas fields development is to study physicochemical impact onto petroleum reservoir to enhance development rate and increase oil recovery factor. Wide range of fields where nanoscale particles can be applied within this direction shifted the level of physicochemical processes studies from microscale to nanoscale, that caused significant advancement of the oil and gas industry as a whole. As for physicochemical methods for petroleum reservoir stimulation, the rapid development of nanotechnologies considerably improves understanding of the processes that run at the boundaries of phases liquid-liquid, liquid-gas, liquid-rock phases, etc. The most studied processes are the processes of influence of nanoscale particles on the interface between liquid-gas and liquid-liquid phases [1–18]. At the moment it is known that nanoparticles of various minerals and metals can increase lifetime of gas bubbles in hydrocarbon media and the stability of globules in hydrocarbon or aqueous phase in various types of emulsions [1–7, 12]. But in the industry there is no single understanding and explanation of physicochemical processes occurring at the boundaries of phases in the presence of nanoparticles under reservoir conditions or even in bench tests on rock cores. In this connection, the direction of nanoscale particles application in the oil and gas fields development is promising for carrying out complex R&D in order to reveal new scientific information and introduce high-performance inventions into the industry. The article presents the results of the next stage in complex research of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2) impact onto rheological and stability properties of emulsion systems. The complex research is performed within the framework of international project «Development and implementation of water-blocking agents based on application of SiO2 nanoparticles». The results of comparative research of new emulsion systems showed the dependences between shear stress and shear rate gradient (flow curve), dynamic viscosity and the shear rate (viscosity curve), and dynamic viscosity and volume of aqueous calcium chloride addition.

Keywords

• nanoparticles; silicon dioxide; emulsion system; viscosity; thermal stability; reservoir stimulation; oil production
• selective treatment.