Optimizing graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) dispersion for improved scale inhibitor squeeze treatment

Abstract

Abstract. The formation of mineral scale has been a major nuisance in oil field operations as it leads to multifarious flow assurance issues. Conventional squeeze treatment commonly employed to inhibit detrimental scale formation lacks in various aspects to effectively mitigate it thereby making this treatment less effective and at times unviable as production operations are moving into deeper and tighter formations. Employing nanotechnology to improve the efficiency of squeeze treatment is presented in this paper by the formulation of high and stably dispersed of Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) nanofluid that can render high active surface area for PPCA scale inhibitor chemical to effectively non-covalently adsorb to the highly dispersed GNPs platform. GNPs dispersion is characterized and measured using UV-Vis spectrophotometry analysis by the parameter of percentage extractability. The concentration of 40mg/L of GNPs corresponds to the highest value of 40% extractability that depicts optimum concentration of GNPs for its highest dispersion. The presence of benzene ring in Triton X-100 surfactant molecular scheme acting as a dispersing agent has proved to be the dominant factor that promotes strong bonding between the surfactants hydrophobic tail with GNPs surface creating sufficient steric hinderance thereby giving high and stable GNPs dispersion. Furthermore, sonication process is essential for effective GNPs dispersion process.