Abstract
The use of metallic oxides in enhanced oil recovery in the initial stage seems to significantly enhance the productivity from a well by increasing the sweep efficiency, reduce interfacial tension, and reduce oil viscosity among other factors. However, in later stages of the life of the reservoir, it is observed that the technology brings adverse effects such as reduction in the permeability of the reservoir rock, which may cause decline in production and may lead to the abandonment of the reservoir, although there may be sufficient underlying hydrocarbon. This paper studies the extent of permeability alteration due to the aluminium oxide nano-powder, the total amount of recovery due to aluminium oxide nano-powder. It also compares the performance of aluminium oxide nano powder with other selected nano powders, which are silicon oxide and magnesium oxide. In the experiment, the Core Flooding System was used to simulate reservoir fluid flow in the constructed sand packs. The Enhanced Oil Recovery percentages as well as permeability changes were obtained. From the results, in comparison with traditional water flooding, aluminium oxide as well as silicon oxide and magnesium oxide gave high increase in recovery. However, aluminium produced the greatest recovery increase. A higher permeability change was given by aluminium oxide at higher concentration, while at lower concentration, aluminium oxide gave a lower permeability change.
Highlights
Nanotechnology can be defined as the use and control of materials and material properties at a scale of approximately 1 to 100 nanometres, where unique phenomena empower novel applications [1]
Nanotechnology has been applied in the oil and gas industry, such as in Enhanced Oil Recovery Technology, but has had relatively limited application in the field [1]
Nanotechnology has been applied in the oil and gas industry, such as in Enhanced Oil Recovery Technology, but has had relatively limited application in the field [15]
Summary
Nanotechnology can be defined as the use and control of materials and material properties at a scale of approximately 1 to 100 nanometres, where unique phenomena empower novel applications [1]. Nanotechnology has been applied in the oil and gas industry, such as in Enhanced Oil Recovery Technology, but has had relatively limited application in the field [1]. The beneficial and adverse effects of nano-technology assisted enhanced oil recovery are not thoroughly understood. Due to their size, nanoparticles which are accurately designed can flow through a regular reservoir pore space of size 1 micron or below. Odo Jude Emeka et al.: Effect of the Application of Aluminium Oxide on Recovery in Enhanced Oil Recovery mobility be improved and the properties of the fluids injected can be enhanced (for example, rheology, and surface tension and wettability modifiers). Information can be collected about the environment the particles are exposed to in their path of flow
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