Blocking Behavior of Organic Solid Phase in the Carbon Dioxide Multiphase and Multicomponent Displacement Process

Peng Yu

doi:10.4236/jpee.2019.71010

Abstract

Better dealing with carbon issues can support the management of current greenhouse gas emissions while achieving energy economic diversification and energy security. Carbon dioxide displacement has become the most acknowledged and practical method in enhanced oil recovery system. This is because of its oil sweep efficiency and ability to reduce the level of greenhouse gas emission. Nevertheless, it would lead to the organic solid phase deposition, which causes the changes of the wettability and the damages of wellbores and reservoirs. In this study, we used slim tube test and component test to research the dynamic characteristics of displacement process. In addition, the mechanism of porous media blockage was also investigated. Results show that when the displacement pressure closed to the minimum miscibility pressure, reservoir blockage in pore throat could happen. Component test characterizes that during near miscible displacement process, the components of oil sample varied obviously, the variation range of peak component carbon marks fluctuated strongly. Crude oil component differentiation could happen after carbon dioxide fully contacted with oil. Besides, the rapid extraction mechanism of aromatic hydrocarbons played a significant role in this process under such condition. The reason is that the solubility of saturated hydrocarbons to asphaltene and non-hydrocarbons is obviously weaker than aromatic hydrocarbons. Controlling the pressure is considered as an important link to prevent the occurrence of blocking in the carbon dioxide multiphase and multicomponent displacement process.

Highlights

Fossil fuel burning accounts for nearly 90% of the power provided to large industrial activities and is the key contributor to greenhouse gas [1] [2] [3] [4]
It would lead to the organic solid phase deposition, which causes the changes of the wettability and the damages of wellbores and reservoirs
Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is an effective mitigation measure for carbon dioxide emissions, and is considered as an acceptable technology that realizes the sustainable exploitation of fossil fuels while solving the carbon problem [5] [6] [7] [8]

Summary

Introduction

Fossil fuel burning accounts for nearly 90% of the power provided to large industrial activities and is the key contributor to greenhouse gas [1] [2] [3] [4]. It is important to explore the multiphase and multicomponent properties of the whole flow system because they related to the management and process design of carbon problems such as utilization in oil reservoirs [11]. The organic solid phase deposition may hinder carbon dioxide displacement in the enhanced oil recovery systems. Organic solid phase deposition may exist in the whole flooding process and it would change the wettability and block reservoirs, which may cause the decrease of the oil recovery. The mechanism of porous media blockage was studied by using slim tube test and component detection on the carbon dioxide flooding process [18] [19]

Experiment Part

Blockage Mechanism of Organic Solid Phase

Findings

Conclusion