Next-Generation Displacement Fluids for Enhanced Oil Recovery

Abstract

Abstract Multiple analysis has indicated that over 50% of the oil production in the next 20-25 years is going to be produced through enhanced recovery procedures including polymer flooding. The heuristics for polymer flooding says that it is feasible to apply polymer flooding in reservoirs having oil viscosities in the range of 10 to 150 mPa.s. The main factor limiting this heuristic limit for polymer floods is that the injected water viscosity required for higher mobility ratio leads to pumping inefficiencies and low polymer injectivity rates. In this paper, we suggest a supramolecule based on the complexation of a long-chain amino-amide and maleic acid which can adjust its viscosity values reversibly to overcome the heuristic problem related to polymer floods. The concept is fundamentally based on the fact the supramolecule system which is injected in the reservoir will initially be maintained at a low viscosity and on application of external pH stimuli will increase in viscosity values prior to contact with oil. Our laboratory studies indicate that such a system is also tolerant to high temperatures and salinities Popular polymer systems used floe EOR purposes on experiencing extreme shear stresses and temperature break-up and degrade, however the supramolecule system dissemble and reassemble making the supramolecular system "healable" in a manner. The supramolecular systems can also adapt to confining environments, for example, on flow through narrow channels, the supramolecules undergo molecular scission. The supramolecules proposed could be used for viscous oil in thin oil sand zones, permafrost and other environmentally constraining systems. This paper primarily focusses, on the development and properties of a novel supramolecular system which has adjustable viscosities and interfacial properties and can be resistant to high temperatures and salinities. This Supramolecular system can significantly improve the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of a polymer flood process and can be utilized universally.