Enhancement on Stability of Oil-Displacement Foam by Palygorskite Nanoparticles

Abstract

Foam flooding is proposed as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) approach for a great number of mature oil fields in China in condition of severe reservoir heterogeneity and great dispersion of residual oil. The improvement of foam stability is a key point to increase EOR efficiency in foam flooding and becomes a big challenge. In this study, palygorskite as cheap nanoparticle was introduced in foam formula to improve the foam stability. The bulk properties of palygorskite-enhanced foam were screened, including stability and rheological properties. The palygorskite particles could be well distributed in foam solution. The foam longevity could be further boosted by more than one order of magnitude in comparison with that of the polymer-enhanced foams (PEF). The viscoelasticity of nanoparticle-enhanced foam solution was found to be greater than that of PEF. Core flood experiments indicated that palygorskite foam fluid could propagate smoothly within porous media and had good pore blocking effect. EOR evaluation proved that palygorskite foam flooding could contribute more than 38% OOIP recovery after water flooding. The palygorskite stabilizers might become a great candidate in commercial use of improving foam stability based on their outstanding performance under the low oil price, thereby significantly increasing EOR efficiency.

Copyright 2017, Shaanxi Petroleum Society.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2017 International Petroleum and Petrochemical Technology Conference in Beijing, China, 20–22 March 2017.

This paper was selected for presentation by the IFEDC&IPPTC Committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as presented, have not been reviewed by the IFEDC&IPPTC Committee and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the IFEDC&IPPTC Committee, its members. Papers presented at the Conference are subject to publication review by Professional Committee of Petroleum Engineering of Shaanxi Petroleum Society. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper for commercial purposes without the written consent of Shaanxi Petroleum Society is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of IFEDC&IPPTC. Contact email: paper@ifedc.org or paper@ipptc.org.