Performance Evaluation of Zeolite-Nanofluids on Wettability Alteration for the Enhancement of Oil Recovery

Kayode S. Ekun¹ , L.S Kuburi² , Y. Ibrahim³

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.10 , Issue.2 , pp.1-16, Jun-2023

Online published on Jun 30, 2023

Copyright © Kayode S. Ekun, L.S Kuburi, Y. Ibrahim . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

View this paper at   Google Scholar | DPI Digital Library

XML View     PDF Download

How to Cite this Paper

Abstract :
The research work is to develop and evaluate the performance effect of zeolite-nanofluids on wettability alteration for the enhancement of oil recovery in well engineering and reservoir application. A clear strategy has been made in this research work by carrying out a core flooding experiment with core analysis on nine core samples with three dispersing base fluids of 3.0wt.% volume of Brine, Distilled water, ethanol, and crude oil injected in the core samples and analysed under a confining pressure of 400psi and a constant flowrate of (Q=1cm3/min) with crude oil recovery efficiency of 45.50%,48.50%, 52.00% for brine, 33.89%, 35.68%, 37.89% for Distilled Water and 36.63%, 38.20% and 41.89% for ethanol all before nanofluids application, also the developed zeolite nanofluids of base brine, Distilled water, and ethanol as dispersing agents in different concentration of 0.005wt.%, 0.015wt.% and 0.010wt.% fluids were injected into nine different core samples respectively with total oil recovery efficiency after applications to be 57.00%, 62.05%, 69.90% for brine, 42.90%,48.05%,51.00% for Distilled Water, 40.0%,44.62% and 47.62% across cores, with displacement efficiency (ED) after application to be 26.32%, 29.03% 57.47% for brine, 7.40%, 20.54%, 29.84% for Distilled Water and 13.32%, 14.80%, 15.03% for Ethanol. The mechanism of wettability was studied by captive oil-droplet method with shaped dropped analysis experiment of 2.5ml injecting dropped volume of oil through a syringe needle captured with Digital CAMERA image Gravity X software on each core sample with contact angles measurement of 54.60%, for brine, 70.00 for Distilled water, (85.00%, 82.50%,81.88%) for ethanol across cores before applications and (21.50%, 12.50%, 4.80%), (49.00%, 44.20%, 38.80%) and (53.60%, 48.65%, 40.05%) after applications. The result shows an increase in the concentration of nanofluids from 00.005wt.%, 0.015wt.%, and 0.010wt.% reducing the contact angles less than 900 to a more water-wet rock formation with the result compared and analysed via graphs and as the wettability alteration further reduces the percentage of oil recovery increases with a reduction in residual oil across cores which shows the impact of zeolite nanofluids in the enhancement of oil recovery.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Zeolite nanoparticles, Zeolite Nanofluids, enhancement of oil recovery, wettability alteration and contact angles, dispersing fluids, cores samples, core flooding, permeability, and porosity

References :
[1] Abell, A. D., Oldham, M. D., & Taylor, J. M. Synthesis of Cyclic Acylated Enamino Esters from Enol Lactones, 4-Keto Amides, and 5-Hydroxy Lactams. The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 60(5), 1214-1220, 1995.
[2] Ahmad, S., Nazir, M. S., Ali, Z., Akhtar, M. N., Hussein, H. A., & , M. A. Abdullah, “Plant-derived alkyl phenol as green solvents: Properties and applications. In Green Sustainable Process for Chemical and Environmental Engineering and Science” (pp. 229-251). Elsevier, 2021.
[3] Aksu, E. Bazilevskaya, Z.T. Karpyn, “Swelling of clay minerals in unconsolidated porous media and its impact on permeability”, GeoResJ, Volume 7, Pages 1-13, 2015.
[4] Asghar, H.N., Rafique, M.H., Zahir, Z., Khan, Y.M., Akhtar, J.M., Naveed, M., Saleem, 810 M, “Petroleum Hydrocarbons-Contaminated Soils: Remediation Approaches,” Springer International, 2016.
[5] Bayat, A.E., J. Radzuan, “Transportation of metal oxide nanoparticles through various porous media for enhanced oil recovery,” In: Paper SPE-176365-MS, presented at the SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, held in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, 20–22 October 2015.
[6] Beletskaya, I. P., & V. P. Ananikov, “Transition-metal-catalyzed C? S, C? Se, and C? Te bond formation via cross-coupling and atom-economic addition reactions” Chemical reviews, 111(3), 1596-1636, 2011.
[7] Bera, A., A. Mandal, and T. Kumar, “Effect of rock-crude oil-fluid interactions on wettability alteration of oil-wet sandstone in presence of surfactants”, Petroleum Science and Technology 33 (5):542–49. doi:10.1080/ 10916466.2014.998768, 2015.
[8] Chengara, A., Nikolov, A. D., Wasan, D. T., Trokhymchuk, A., & D.Henderson, “Spreading of nanofluids driven by the structural disjoining pressure gradient. Journal of colloid and interface science, 280(1), 192-201, 2004.
[9] G. Cheraghian, “Thermal resistance and application of nanoclay on polymer flooding in heavy oil recovery”, Petroleum Science and Technology, 33(17-18), 1580-1586, 2015.
[10] Cheraghian, G., & S. Tardasti, “Improved oil recovery by the efficiency of nano-particle in imbibition mechanism”. In 2nd EAGE international conference KazGeo (pp. cp-315). European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, 2012, October.
[11] Darcy, H. In: Dalmont, V., Ed., Les Fontaines Publiques de la Ville de Dijon, “Exposition et Application des Principes a Suivre et des Formulesa Employer dans les Questions de Distribution d’Eau. Paris, pp.647, 1856.
[12] El-Diasty, A. I., & Ragab, A. M. S. “Applications of nanotechnology in the oil & gas industry”: Latest trends worldwide & future challenges in Egypt. In North Africa Technical Conference and Exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2013, April.
[13] Engeset B. “The Potential of Hydrophilic Silica Nanoparticles for EOR Purposes: A literateur review and an experimental study (Master`s thesis, Institutt for petroleumsteknologi og anvendt geofysikk).featured at 80th EAGE conference and exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers, Copenhagen, Denmark. 2018. 2012.
[14] Giraldo, J., Benjumea, P., Lopera, S., Cortes, F., M. Ruiz, “Wetta- bility alteration of sandstone cores by alumina based nanafluids”. Enery Fuels 27, 3659–3665, 2013.
[15] Gomaa S, Salem A, M. Hassan, “Relative Permeability Curves and Wettability Alterations by Alumina Nano Particles Flooding”, Journal of Al Azhar University Engineering Sector,12(42):103-19, 2017.
[16] Hendraningrat, L., & Torsæter, O. “Effects of the initial rock wettability on silica-based nanofluid-enhanced oil recovery processes at reservoir temperatures,” Energy & Fuels, 28(10), 6228-6241, 2014.
[17] Hendraningrat, L., & Torsæter, O. “Metal oxide-based nanoparticles: revealing their potential to enhance oil recovery in different wettability systems”, Applied Nanoscience, 5(2), 181-199, 2015.
[18] Hendraningrat, L., Li, S., & Torsater, O. “ Effect of some parameters influencing enhanced oil recovery process using silica nanoparticles: an experimental investigation”, In SPE Reservoir Characterization and Simulation Conference and Exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2013.
[19] Hogeweg AS, Hincapie RE, Foedisch H, L. Ganzer, “ Evaluation of aluminium oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles for EOR applications”, In: SPE Europec featured at 80th eage conference and exhibition. Society of petroleum engineers, 2018.
[20] Hossain, N., Chowdhury, T., Chowdhury, H., Ahmed, A., Nizamuddin, S., Griffin, G., ... & , Y. K. Park, “Edible bio-oil production from microalgae and application of nanotechnology”, In Microalgae (pp. 91-116). Academic Press, 2021.
[21] Hu Z., Siddeequah M.A., Ghulam R., Paul W.J.G., W. Dongshen, “Nanoparticle-assisted water-?ooding in Berea sandstones”, Energy Fuels 30, 4, 2791–2804, 2016.
[22] Ju, B., Fan, T., & M. Ma, “Enhanced oil recovery by flooding with hydrophilic nanoparticles”, China Particuology, 4(1), 41-46, 2006.
[23] Ju, S. Dai, Z. Luan, T. Zhu, X. Su, X. Qiu, “A study of wettability and permeability change caused by adsorption of nanometer structured polysilicon on the surface of porous media”, SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Society of Petroleum Engineers, January 2002.
[24] Kanj, M. Y., Funk, J. J., & Al-Yousif, Z, “Nanofluid coreflood experiments in the ARAB-D”, In SPE Saudi Arabia section technical symposium. Society of Petroleum Engineers, January 2009.
[25] Karimi, A., Fakhroueian, Z., Bahramian, A., Pour Khiabani, N., Darabad, J. B., Azin, R., & Arya, S. “Wettability alteration in carbonates using zirconium oxide nanofluids: EOR implications”, Energy & Fuels, 26(2), 1028-1036, 2012.
[26] Kazemzadeh Y., Sharifi M., Riazi M., Rezvani H., M. Tabaei, “ Potential effects of metal oxide/SiO2 nanocomposites in EOR processes at different pressures,” Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 559, pp. 372-384, 2018.
[27] Luffel, D. L., & W. E. Howard, “Reliability of laboratory measurement of porosity in tight gas sands,” SPE formation evaluation, 3(04), 705-710, 1988.
[28] Mansoori GA, Vakili-Nezhaad GR, Ashrafi AR, “Some mathematical concepts applicable innanothermodynamics”, Int`l J. Pure & Applied Math. Sci. 2(1): 58-61, 2005.
[29] Mcelfresh P.M., Holcomb D.L., D. Ector, “Application of nanofluid technology to improve recovery in oil and gas wells, in SPE International Oilfield Nanotechnology Conference and Exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE154827, 2012.
[30] Miranda, C. R., Lara, L. S. D., & B.C. Tonetto, “Stability and mobility of functionalized silica nanoparticles for enhanced oil recovery applications”, In SPE international oilfield nanotechnology conference and exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers, January 2012.
[31] Moon T., “Nanofluid technology promises large-scale performance gains from tight reservoirs”, J. Pet. Technol, 2010.
[32] Nazari Moghaddam, R., Bahramian, A., Fakhroueian, Z., Karimi, A., & S.Arya, “Comparative study of using nanoparticles for enhanced oil recovery: wettability alteration of carbonate rocks”. Energy & Fuels, 29(4), 2111-2119, 2015.
[33] Odo Jude Emeka, Ohia Princewill Nnaemeka, Nwogu Ngozi, Oguamah Ifeanyi, Ekwueme Stanley, “Laboratory Experiment on Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Nanoparticles (NPs) and Permeability Alteration Due to Their Retention in Porous Media, American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management. Volume 5, Issue 1, pp. 18-26, February 2020.
[34] Ogolo, N. A., Olafuyi, O. A., & Onyekonwu, M. O., “Enhanced oil recovery using nanoparticles. In SPE Saudi Arabia section technical symposium and exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers, January 2012.
[35] Olaremu, A.G., “Physico-Chemical Characterization of Akoko Mined Kaolin Clay. Journal ofMinerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, 3, 353-361, 2015.
[36] Onyekonwu, M. O., & N. A. Ogolo, “Investigating the use of nanoparticles in enhancing oil recovery”, In Nigeria Annual international conference and exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers, January 2010.
[37] Rodriguez, E., Roberts, M.R., Yu, H., et al., “Enhanced Migration of Surface-Treated Nanoparticles in Sedimentary Rocks”, Paper SPE 124418 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, Louisiana, 4–7 October. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.2118/124418-MS, 2009.
[38] Raza, S. H., Treiber, L. E., and D.L.Archer, “Wettability of Reservoir Rocks and Its Evaluation”. Producers Monthly. 32(04). 2-7, 1968.
[39] Roustaei, A., Saffarzadeh, S., & M. Mohammadi, “An evaluation of modified silica nanoparticles’ efficiency in enhancing oil recovery of light and intermediate oil reservoirs”, Egyptian Journal of Petroleum, 22(3), 427-433, 2013.
[40] Rueda, E. J. R., “Biopolymer for EOR: fluid design, micromodels and core flooding approach= Biopolímero para EOR: projeto de fluido”, micromodelos e teste de deslocamento, 2020.
[41] Sameni A, Pourafshary P, Ghanbarzadeh M, S. Ayatollahi, “Effect of nanoparticles on clay swelling and migration,” Egypt J Pet. 24:429–37, 2015.
[42] Samikannu, A., Konwar, L. J., Rajendran, K., Lee, C. C., Shchukarev, A., Virtanen, P., & J.P. Mikkola, “Highly dispersed as a versatile acid catalyst upon production of renewable jet-fuel from bio-based furanic via hydroxyahydroxy alkylation SBA-15, 2020.
[43] Samikannu, A., Konwar, L. J., Rajendran, K., Lee, C. C., Shchukarev, A., Virtanen, P., & J.P. Mikkola, “Highly dispersed NbOPO4/SBA-15 as a versatile acid catalyst upon production of renewable jet-fuel from bio-based furanic of hydroxy alkylation-alkylation (HAA) and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reactions. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 272, 118987, 2021.
[44] Sangwan, S. R., & Bhatia, M. P. S., “Sustainable development in industry 4.0. In A Roadmap to Industry 4.0: Smart Production, Sharp Business, and Sustainable Development”, Springer, Cham, pp. 39-56, 2020.
[45] Schwark, L., Stoddart, D., Keuser, C., Spitthoff, B., & D.A Leythaeuser, “novel sequential extraction system for whole core plug extraction in a solvent flow-through cell—application to the extraction of residual petroleum from an intact pore-system in secondary migration studies”, Organic Geochemistry, 26(1-2), 19-31, 1997.
[46] Sun, X., Zhang, Y., Chen, G., & Z. Gai, “Application of nanoparticles in enhanced oil recovery: a critical review of recent progress”, Energies, 10(3), 345, 2017.
[47] Tian, Q. Y., Wang, L., Tang, Y., Liu, C., Ma, C., & T. Wang, “Research and application of nano polymer microspheres diversion technique of deep fluid”, In SPE International Oilfield Nanotechnology Conference and Exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers, January 2012.
[48] Torsater O., Li S., L. Hendraningrat, “Enhancing oil recovery of low-permeability Berea sandstone through optimized nanofluids concentration”, Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2013a.
[49] Torsater O., Li S., L. Hendraningrat, “Effect of some parameters influencing enhanced oil recovery process using silica nanoparticles: An experimental investigation”, Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2013b.
[50] Torsater, O., Engeset, B., Hendraningrat, L., & S. Suwarno, “Improved oil recovery by nanofluids flooding: an experimental study,” In SPE Kuwait international petroleum conference and exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers, January 2012.
[51] Tweheyo, M.T., Zhang, P., T. Austad, “The effect of temperature and potential determining ions present in seawater on oil recovery from fractured carbonates. SPE 99438 presented at the Symposium on improved oil recovery, Tulsa, 22–26, April 2006.
[52] Wasan D.T., A.D. Nikolov, “Spreading of nanofluids on solids, Nature 423, 156–159, 2003.
[53] Wasan, D., Nikolov, A., & K. Kondiparty, “The wetting and spreading of nanofluids on solids: Role of the structural disjoining pressure”, Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science, 16(4), 344-349, 2011.
[54] Wason, D.T., A.D. Nikolov, “Spreading of nanofluids on solids. Nature,” 423, 156–159, 2003.
[55] Yu W., Xie H. A review on nanofluids: Preparation, stability mechanisms, and applications, J. Nanomater, 2012.
[56] Yuan, W., Liu, X., Wei, H., Liu, J., Yang, H., Hu, S., ... & D.Wang, “Research and application effect of polymeric microsphere in Wen-10 of Sinopec Zhongyuan Oil field. Inner Mong. Petrochem, 12, 122-126, 2010.
[57] Zabala, R. F. C. A., Franco, C. A., & F.B. Cortés, “Application of nanofluids for improving oil mobility in heavy oil and extra-heavy oil: a field test,” In SPE improved oil recovery conference. Society of Petroleum Engineers, April 2016,
[58] Zhang, H., Nikolov, A., & D. Wasan, “Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) using nanoparticle dispersions: underlying mechanism and imbibition experiments”, Energy & Fuels, 28(5), 3002-3009, 2014.