Increasing Recovery Factor in Heavy Oil Fields Using Alternating Steam and Surfactant Injection

Abstract

Fossil fuels, particularly oil, currently dominate the global energy matrix. With a projected 30% increase in demand by 2040 compared to 2010, it is crucial to maintain current oil production levels. To achieve this, it is necessary to increase the oil recovery factor through alternative methodologies that will improve oil extraction from reservoirs and exploration viability in mature fields. While previous studies have investigated thermal and chemical methods to increase the recovery factor, this study aims to explore the synergy between steam and non-ionic surfactants varying the surfactant degrees of ethoxylation and injection configurations. The experimental study investigated the application of solutions of ethoxylated nonylphenol surfactants (NP-10EO and NP-100EO) combined with steam injection into banks at different concentrations and injection configurations. The results showed that combining the NP-100EO surfactant (0.5% m/m) with steam demonstrated the highest oil recovery (64.88%) compared to conventional steam (45.19%). The most effective configurations were surfactant + steam + surfactant (65.06%) and surfactant + steam + water (65.88%). These findings suggest that the proposed technique of steam injection and surfactant solution could be a promising alternative. By revitalizing marginal fields, this technique could help extend production and stimulate local and regional development.