Masters Theses

Abstract

"Gel and surfactant treatment are two principle methods to reduce water production and enhance oil recovery (EOR). However, either method by itself has limitations that can be avoided by combining the two. Gel treatment can improve sweep efficiency but has little effect on micro-displacement efficiency. Surfactants are mainly used to improve displacement efficiency but have little effect on sweep efficiency. This research sought to investigate whether the combination of gel and surfactant treatments can be used to significantly enhance oil recovery while reducing water production for extremely heterogeneous mature reservoirs. A newer trend in gel treatments is preformed particle gels (PPG) which can overcome some distinct drawbacks inherent in in-situ gelation systems. Therefore, this thesis investigated the interaction between surfactants and PPGs. Two PPGs - negatively charged hydrogel (PPG 1) and nanoclay gels (PPG2), and six surfactants - two cationic, two anionic, and two neutral, were used in this study. Results showed that the swelling of both PPGs in surfactants solutions could increase the concentration of anionic and neutral surfactants in their free aqueous phase but decrease cationic surfactant concentrations. Rheoscope measurement showed that surfactants could significantly reduce the strength of PPG 1 but had slightly effect on PPG2; which was consistent with the injection pressure measurement results from the experiments of PPG extrusion through fractured models. This novel method to combine of PPG and surfactants in one process will provide a practical method to improve both sweep efficiency and displacement efficiency and thus the overall recovery of an oilfield could be significantly improved"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Bai, Baojun

Committee Member(s)

Flori, Ralph E.
Dunn-Norman, Shari
Nygaard, Runar

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Petroleum Engineering

Sponsor(s)

Libyan Ministry of Education and Scientific Research

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

2011

Pagination

x, 86 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 52-54).

Rights

© 2011 Faraq Awadh Muhammed, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Enhanced oil recoveryOil fields -- Production methodsSurface active agentsGelation

Thesis Number

T 10202

Print OCLC #

862076372

Electronic OCLC #

862076451

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