Compatibility Test for Screening Surfactant Flooding

Abstract

Surfactant flooding is one of the methods used in Enhanced Oil Recovery. The purpose of this study was to determine the suitability of a reservoir to the surfactant injection that will be carried out in that reservoir. Surfactants are used as a method to increase oil recovery because they are able to reduce the surface tension between the injecting fluid and the oil. Before selecting the surfactant material to be used, screening criteria must be done between the reservoir data and the surfactant. Reservoir data must match the requirements required for surfactant injection. After screening criteria, the next step is to test the compatibility of the surfactant fluid to the reservoir fluid. At this stage, it consists of a compatibility test, interfacial tension (IFT) test, and phase behavior test with the middle phase emulsion. Laboratory screening tests using test tubes, ovens and spinning drop. The fluids tested include the types of surfactants and crude samples. From the observations in this study, there are several results that can guide surfactant screening. Compatible surfactants are surfactants that clearly, form a middle phase emulsion and low IFT values. By conducting screening criteria, it can be concluded that the suitability of the reservoir represented by the crude oil sample against the surfactant that will be applied as the injection fluid.