Application of Salts, Alkalis, and Nanoparticles for Reducing Adsorption Loss of Anionic Surfactant for the Application in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)

Abstract

Anionic surfactants have distinctive properties that reduce the tension at the interface of the between the surface-active solution and trapped crude oil and change the hydrophilicity of heterogenous rock of reservoir from oil-wet condition to water-wet condition; these are extensively used chemicals for improved oil recovery. However, a significant issue that lowers the effectiveness of the surfactant flooding process is surfactant losses by adsorption on the rock surface, which must be taken into account when planning the process. The current research focuses on the static and dynamic absorption at equilibrium of surfactant on reservoir minerals such as sandstone, carbonate, and bentonite clay. In group tests, the quantity of surfactant molecules adsorbed on firm rock/clay surfaces was measured using UV–visible spectroscopy. Salt tends to slightly enhance surfactant adsorption on carbonate or clay. It was identified that the presence of alkali and nanoparticles, which has additive effects on IFT reduction, lowers the loss in quantity of surfactant through adsorption and is advantageous for the use of the surface-active agents in oil recovery methods. The present study results are very beneficial for appropriate surfactant flooding design for improved oil recovery.