Abstract
In this paper, synthesis and characterization of a novel CeO2/nanoclay nanocomposite (NC) and its effects on IFT reduction and wettability alteration is reported in the literature for the first time. The NC was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and EDS MAP. The surface morphology, crystalline phases, and functional groups of the novel NC were investigated. Nanofluids with different concentrations of 100, 250, 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 ppm were prepared and used as dispersants in porous media. The stability, pH, conductivity, IFT, and wettability alternation characteristics of the prepared nanofluids were examined to find out the optimum concentration for the selected carbonate and sandstone reservoir rocks. Conductivity and zeta potential measurements showed that a nanofluid with concentration of 500 ppm can reduce the IFT from 35 mN/m to 17 mN/m (48.5% reduction) and alter the contact angle of the tested carbonate and sandstone reservoir rock samples from 139° to 53° (38% improvement in wettability alteration) and 123° to 90° (27% improvement in wettability alteration), respectively. A cubic fluorite structure was identified for CeO2 using the standard XRD data. FESEM revealed that the surface morphology of the NC has a layer sheet morphology of CeO2/SiO2 nanocomposite and the particle sizes are approximately 20 to 26 nm. TGA analysis results shows that the novel NC has a high stability at 90 °C which is a typical upper bound temperature in petroleum reservoirs. Zeta potential peaks at concentration of 500 ppm which is a sign of stabilty of the nanofluid. The results of this study can be used in design of optimum yet effective EOR schemes for both carbobate and sandstone petroleum reservoirs.
Highlights
The global demand for energy resources is increasing steadily due to the world population growth and higher energy demands from developing economies
Different characteristics of the synthesized novel CeO2@nanoclay such as surface morphology, crystalline phases, and functional groups are described and discussed using data obtaoined from various state of the art analytical methods used such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), DES, and EDX MAP
Various properties of the nanofluids prepared by using different concentratioins of the novel CeO2@nanoclay such as density, pH, viscosity, conductivuty, interfacial tension (IFT), zeta potential, and contact angle along with their effect on IFT and wettability charateristics of the stuided reservoir rocks are presented and discussed
Summary
The global demand for energy resources is increasing steadily due to the world population growth and higher energy demands from developing economies. Petroleum will make up a notable part of the energy consumption in the decades to come, 40–60% in different scenario, despite the fact that production from existing reservoirs is declining rapidly over time and new discoveries are not able to close the gap [1]. The residual oil trapped in the rock and the resistant forces prevent further petroleum production at desired rates. Well over 50% of the oil in place in reservoirs is trapped in pores and cannot be produced through natural depletion. After primary stage of production, water and gas injection practice is common for pressure maintenance and enhanced oil recvery [2]. The cumulative recovery factor (RF) during both primary and secondary stages of oil recovery does not exceed 30% [3]. Application of more effective and efficient enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes is inevitable [4,5]
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