Abstract
Oil recovery was improved using the tertiary amine, N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine (DMCHA), a powerful and promissory switchable solvent, in simulated conditions similar to the Colombian crude oil reserves. Firstly, the Colombian crude oil (CCO) and the soil were characterized completely. Afterwards, an aged crude-rock system was obtained to use DMCHA that gave an oil crude extraction of 80% in our preliminary studies. Thus, a sand-pack column (soil-kaolin, 95 : 5) frame saturated with CCO was used to simulate the conditions, in which DMCHA could recover the oil. After the secondary recovery process, 15.4–33.8% of original oil in place (OOIP) is obtained. Following the injection of DMCHA, the recovery yield rose to 87–97% of OOIP. Finally, 54–60% of DMCHA was recovered and reinjected without affecting its potential in the simulated conditions.
Highlights
Due to the reduction of combustible fossil stockpiles, alternative energy solutions are emerging each day; crude oil still represents the most used energy source
Fluid outlet End cap from a natural source, and it could be contaminated with other materials, potentially voiding test results. en, natural soil was washed to eliminate interferences, for example, coating of oxides and biodegradable organic matter
According to the spectrum and database, compositional analysis of the mineral does not change after washing process. erefore, the crystalline phases of both minerals were qualitatively identified, such as calcic albite, sodic anortite, muscovite 2-ITM1, anfibol, orthoclase, quartz, and hematite, among others
Summary
Due to the reduction of combustible fossil stockpiles, alternative energy solutions are emerging each day; crude oil still represents the most used energy source. When a reservoir is found, after the drilling process, production stage begins and primary recovery starts when crude oil rises to the surface naturally due to current reservoir pressure. Secondary recovery is required by injection of external fluids that normally could be present in the reservoir, such as water and/ or gas, mainly to boost the pressure to displace the remaining oil. When no more crude oil is produced in secondary recovery, injection of special fluids such as chemicals and miscible gases and/or the injection of thermal energy are necessary, and this process is called tertiary recovery [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
