All Issue

2021 Vol.58, Issue 6 Preview Page

Technical Report

Investigation of the Mechanisms and Technical Trends of Nano-EOR in Carbonate Reservoirs

탄산염암 저류층에서 Nano-EOR 공법 메커니즘 및 기술개발 동향

Jihwan Kim1
,
Jeonghwan Lee2*
김 지환1
,
이 정환2*
1Integrated PhD Program, Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
2Professor, Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
1전남대학교 에너지자원공학과 석·박사통합과정
2전남대학교 에너지자원공학과 교수
*Corresponding Author
31 December 2021. pp. 580-591
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

Although more than half of the world's petroleum reserves exist in carbonate reservoirs, various enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods have been studied because of the low oil recovery resulting from its strong lipophilicity. In particular, nano-EOR, which incorporates advanced nanotechnology, has received considerable attention as a new technology that can overcome the limitations of common chemical substances used in conventional EOR. These limitations include degradation when these substances are exposed to reservoir environments and high injection cost due to high volumes of injection. In this study, the technical characteristics and mechanisms of nano-EOR in carbonate reservoirs were investigated and the latest technical trends were analyzed. Results showed that an understanding of oil recovery mechanisms such as improved wettability and reduced interfacial tension is essential for successful nano-EOR applications. In addition, it was confirmed that nano-EOR has a synergistic effect when combined with conventional EOR methods. These results can be used as basic data in designing EOR projects using the nano-EOR method in carbonate reservoirs.

Keywords
Carbonate reservoir
Nano-EOR
Nanofluids
Wettability alteration
IFT reduction

탄산염암 저류층에는 전 세계 석유 매장량의 절반 이상이 부존되어 있으나 강한 친유성으로 인해 오일 회수율이 낮아 다양한 EOR 공법들에 대한 연구가 이루어져 왔다. 특히 첨단 기술인 나노 기술을 접목한 나노-EOR은 기존 EOR에서 사용되는 폴리머, 계면활성제와 같은 화학물질들이 가지는 저류층 환경에서의 기능 저하, 다량 주입으로 인한 높은 주입 비용 등의 한계점을 극복할 수 있는 새로운 공법으로 각광받고 있다. 본 연구에서는 탄산염암 저류층에서 나노-EOR의 기술 특성 및 메커니즘을 조사하고, 최신 기술개발 동향을 분석하였다. 조사 결과, 성공적인 나노-EOR 공법을 수행하기 위해서는 습윤도 개선, IFT 감소와 같은 오일 회수 메커니즘에 대한 분석이 필수적이며, 기존 EOR 공법과의 결합을 통해 시너지 효과가 발생함을 확인하였다. 제시된 결과는 향후 탄산염암 저류층에서 나노-EOR 공법을 적용한 오일 회수 증진 프로젝트 설계를 위한 기초 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

키워드
탄산염암 저류층
나노-EOR
나노유체
습윤도 개선
IFT 감소
References
1
Abidin, A.Z., Puspasari, T., and Nugroho, W.A., 2012. Polymers for enhanced oil recovery technology, Procedia Chemistry, 4, p.11-16. 10.1016/j.proche.2012.06.002
2
Agbalaka, C.C., Dandekar, A.Y., Patil, S.L., Khataniar, S., and Hemsath, J., 2008. The effect of wettability on oil recovery: A review, Proc. of the SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Perth, Australia, 20-22 October 2008. 10.2118/114496-MS
3
Agista., M.N., Guo, K., and Yu, Z., 2018. A State-of-the-Art Review of Nanoparticles. Application in Petroleum with a Focus on Enhanced Oil Recovery, Applied Sciences, 8(1), 871p. 10.3390/app8060871
4
Al-Anssari, S., Barifcani, A., Wang, S., Maxim, L., and Iglauer, S., 2016. Wettability alteration of oil-wet carbonate by silica nanofluid, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 461(1), p.435-442. 10.1016/j.jcis.2015.09.05126414426
5
Alhammadi, A.M., AlRatrout, A., Singh, K. Bijeljic, B., and Blunt, M.J., 2017. In situ characterization of mixed-wettability in a reservoir rock at subsurface conditions, Scientific Reports, 7, 10753. 10.1038/s41598-017-10992-w28883407PMC5589931
6
Ali, J.A., Kolo, K., Manshad, A.K., and Mohammadi, A.H., 2018. Recent advances in application of nanotechnology in chemical enhanced oil recovery: Effects of nanoparticles on wettability alteration, interfacial tension reduction, and flooding, Egyptian Journal of Petroleum, 27(1), p.1371-1383. 10.1016/j.ejpe.2018.09.006
7
Aveyard, R., Binks, B.P., and Clint, J.H., 2003. Emulsions stabilised solely by colloidal particles, Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 100(1), p.503-546. 10.1016/S0001-8686(02)00069-6
8
Ayatollahi, S. and Zerafat M.M., 2012. Nanotechnology-assisted EOR techniques: New solutions to old challenges, Proc. of the SPE International Oilfield Nanotechnology Conference and Exhibition, SPE, Noordwijk, Netherlands, 12-14 June 2012. 10.2118/157094-MS
9
Berry, J.D., Neeson, M.J., Dagastine, R.R., Chan, D.Y.C., and Tabor, R.F., 2015. Measurement of surface and interfacial tension using pendant drop tensiometry, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 454(1), p.226-237. 10.1016/j.jcis.2015.05.01226037272
10
Bila, A. and Torsaeter, B., 2021. Experimental Investigation of Polymer-Coated Silica Nanoparticles for EOR under Harsh Reservoir Conditions of High Temperature and Salinity, Nanomaterials, 11(1), 765p. 10.3390/nano1103076533803521PMC8002960
11
Chengara, A., Nikolov, A.D., Wasan, D.T., Trokhymchuk, A., and Henderson, D., 2004. Spreading of nanofluids driven by the structural disjoining pressure gradient, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 280(1), p.192-201. 10.1016/j.jcis.2004.07.00515476790
12
Cheraghian, G., Nezhad, S.S.K., Kamari, M., Hemmati, M., Masihi, M., and Bazgir, S., 2015. Effect of nanoclay on improved rheology properties of polyacrylamide solutions used in enhanced oil recovery, Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, 5(1), p.189-196. 10.1007/s13202-014-0125-y
13
El-Diasty, A.I. and Ragab, A.M.S., 2013. Applications of Nanotechnology in the Oil & Gas Industry: Latest Trends Worldwide & Future Challenges in Egypt, Proc. of the North Africa Technical Conference & Exhibition, Cairo, Egypt, 15-17 April 2013. 10.2118/164716-MS
14
Eltoum, H., Yang, Y.L., and Hou, J.R., 2021. The effect of nanoparticles on reservoir wettability alteration: a critical review, Petroleum Science, 18(1), p.136-153. 10.1007/s12182-020-00496-0
15
Gbadamosi, A.O., Junin, R., and Manan, M.A., 2019. An overview of chemical enhanced oil recovery: recent advances and prospects, International Nano Letters, 9(1), p.171-202. 10.1007/s40089-019-0272-8
16
Giraldo, J., Benjumea, P., Lopera, S., Cortes, F.B., and Ruiz, M.A., 2013. Wettability alteration of sandstone cores by alumina-based nanofluids, Energy & Fuels, 27(1), p.3659-3665. 10.1021/ef4002956
17
Hamza, M.F., Sinnathambi, C.M., Merican, Z.M.A., Soleimani, H., and Stephen, K.D., 2018. Effect of SiO2 on the foamability, thermal stability and interfacial tension of a novel nano-fluid hybrid surfactant, International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 5(1), p.113-122. 10.21833/ijaas.2018.01.015
18
Han, B. and Lee, J., 2014. Investigation on the Technical Characteristics and Field Cases of CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery, Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers, 51(4), p.597-609. 10.12972/ksmer.2014.51.4.597
19
Haroun, M., Al Hassan, S., Ansari, A., Al Kindy, N., Abou Sayed, N., Ali, B., and Sarma, H., 2012. Smart Nano-EOR Process for Abu Dhabi Carbonate Reservoirs, Proc. of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition, Abu Dhabi, UAE, November 2012. 10.2118/162386-MS
20
Hendraningrat, L. and Torsaeter, O., 2014. Effects of the initial rock wettability on silica-based nanofluid-enhanced oil recovery processes at reservoir temperatures, Energy & Fuels, 28(10), p.6228-6241. 10.1021/ef5014049
21
Hogeweg, A.S, Hincapie, R.E., Foedisch, H., and Ganzer, L., 2018. Evaluation of Aluminium Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles for EOR Applications, Proc. of the SPE Europec featured at 80th EAGE Conference and Exhibition, Copenhagen, Denmark, June 2018. 10.2118/190872-MS
22
Jang, H., 2019. Nanoparticle Dispersion with Surface-modified Silica Nanoparticles and Its Effect on Enhanced Oil Recovery in Carbonate Reservoirs, Ph. D. diss., Chonnam National University, Korea, 95p.
23
Jang, H., Lee, W., and Lee, J., 2018. Nanoparticle dispersion with surface-modified silica nanoparticles and its effect on the wettability alteration of carbonate rocks, Colloids and Surfaces A, 554(1), p.261-271. 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2018.06.045
24
Jang, H., Lee, W., and Lee, J., 2019. Rheological characteristics of non-Newtonian GPTMS-SiO2 nanofluids, International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 106(1), p.38-45. 10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2019.05.002
25
Jiang, R., Li, K,, and Horne, R.A., 2017. Mechanism study of wettability and interfacial tension for EOR using silica nanoparticles, Proc. of the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. SPE, San Antonio, TX, USA. 10.2118/187096-MS
26
Karimi, A., Fakhroueian, Z., Bahramian, A., Pour Khiabani, N., Darabad, J.B., Azin, R., and Arya, S., 2012. Wettability alteration in carbonates using zirconium oxide nanofuids: EOR implications, Energy & Fuels, 26(1), p.1028-1036. 10.1021/ef201475u
27
Keykhosravi, A. and Simjoo, M., 2019. Insights into stability of silica nanofluids in brine solution coupled with rock wettability alteration: An enhanced oil recovery study in oil-wet carbonates, Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 583(1), 124008. 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.124008
28
Keykhosravi, A., Vanani, M.B., and Aghayari, C., 2021. TiO2 nanoparticle-induced Xanthan Gum Polymer for EOR: Assessing the underlying mechanisms in oil-wet carbonates, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 204(1), 108756. 10.1016/j.petrol.2021.108756
29
Kopanichuk, I.V., Vanin, A.A., and Brodskaya, E.N., 2017. Disjoining pressure and structure of a fluid confined between nanoscale surfaces, Colloids and Surface A: Physicochem Engineering Aspects, 527(1), p.42-48. 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2017.04.072
30
Li, K., Wang, D., and Jiang, S., 2018. Review on enhanced oil recovery by nanofluids, Oil & Gas Science and Technology - Revue d'IFP Energies nouvelles, 73(1), 37p. 10.2516/ogst/2018025
31
Maghzi, A., Kharrat, R., Mohebbi, A., and Ghazanfari, M.H., 2014. The impact of silica nanoparticles on the performance of polymer solution in presence of salts in polymer flooding for heavy oil recovery, Fuel, 123(1), p.123-132. 10.1016/j.fuel.2014.01.017
32
Maghzi, A., Mohebbi, A., Kharrat, R., and Ghazanfari, M.H., 2011. Pore-scale monitoring of wettability alteration by silica nanoparticles during polymer flooding to heavy oil in a five-spot glass micromodel, Transport in Porous Media, 87(1), p.653-664. 10.1007/s11242-010-9696-3
33
Maghzi, A., Mohebbi, A., Kharrat, R., and Ghazanfari, M.H., 2013. An experimental investigation of silica nanoparticles effect on the rheological behavior of polyacrylamide solution to enhance heavy oil recovery, Petroleum Science and Technology, 31(1), p.500-508. 10.1080/10916466.2010.518191
34
Mahbubul, I.M., 2019. Preparation, Characterization, Properties and Application of Nanofluid (1st Ed.), Micro and Nano Technologies, p.15-45. 10.1016/B978-0-12-813245-6.00002-2
35
Mahmoudpour, M. and Pourafshary, P., 2021. Investigation of the effect of engineered water/nanofluid hybrid injection on enhanced oil recovery mechanisms in carbonate reservoirs, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 196, 107662. 10.1016/j.petrol.2020.107662
36
Manrique, E.J., Muci, V.E., and Gurfinkel, M.E., 2007. EOR Field Experiences in Carbonate Reservoirs in the United States, Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering, 10(6), p.667-686. 10.2118/100063-PA
37
Manshad, A.K., Olad, M., Taghipour, S.A., Nowrouzi, I., and Mohammadi, A.H., 2016. Effects of water soluble ions on interfacial tension (IFT) between oil and brine in smart and carbonated smart water injection process in oil reservoirs, Journal of Molecular Liquids, 223(1), p.987-993. 10.1016/j.molliq.2016.08.089
38
Moghaddam, R.N. Bahramian, A., Fakhroueian, Z., Karimi, A., and Arya, S., 2015. Comparative Study of Using Nanoparticles for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Wettability Alteration of Carbonate Rocks, Energy and Fuels, 29(4), p.2111-2119. 10.1021/ef5024719
39
Mohammed, M. and Babadagli, T., 2015. Wettability alteration: A comprehensive review of materials/methods and testing the selected ones on heavy-oil containing oil-wet systems, Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 220(1), p.54-77. 10.1016/j.cis.2015.02.00625798909
40
Mohan, K., Gupta, R., and Mohanty, K.K., 2011. Wettability Altering Secondary Oil Recovery in Carbonate Rocks, Energy Fuels, 25(9), p.3966-3973. 10.1021/ef200449y
41
Montaron, B., 2008. Confronting Carbonates, Oil Review Middle East, 5(1), p.132-135.
42
Moradi B., Pourafshary P., Farahani F.J., Mohammadi M., and Emadi M.A., 2015. Application of SiO2 nano particles to improve the performance of water alternating gas EOR process, Proc. of the SPE Oil & Gas India Conference and Exhibition, Mumbai, India, Novemver 2015. 10.2118/178040-MS
43
Munshi, A.M., Singh, V.N., Kumar, M., and Singha, J.P., 2008. Effect of nanoparticle size on sessile droplet contact angle, Journal of Applied Physics, 103(1), 084315p. 10.1063/1.2912464
44
Nowrouzi, I., Manshad, A.K., and Mohammadi, A.H., 2019. Effects of dissolved carbon dioxide and ions in water on the dynamic interfacial tension of water and oil in the process of carbonated smart water injection into oil reservoirs, Fuel, 243(1), p.569-578. 10.1016/j.fuel.2019.01.069
45
Nowrouzi, I., Manshad, A.K., and Mohammadi, A.H., 2020. Effect of TiO2, MgO and γ-Al2O3 nano-particles on wettability alteration and oil production under carbonated nano-fluid imbibition in carbonate oil reservoirs, Fuel, 259(1), 111348p. 10.1016/j.fuel.2019.116110
46
Qureshi, Z., Ashqar, A., Banyopadhyay, I., and Al-hammadi. K., 2016. Successful flood-front and breakthrough prediction of miscible wag in a complex carbonate reservoir-a case study. Proc. of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference. SPE, Abu Dhabi, UAE. 10.2118/183362-MS
47
Rahmani, A.R., Bryant, S., Huh, C., Athey, A., Ahmadian, M., Chen, J., and Wilt, M., 2015. Crosswell magnetic sensing of superparamagnetic nanoparticles for subsurface applications, SPE Journal, 20(5), p.1067-1082. 10.2118/166140-PA
48
Ravera, F., Santini, E., Loglio, G., Ferrari, M., and Liggieri, L., 2006. Effect of nanoparticles on the interfacial properties of liquid/liquid and liquid/air surface layers, The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 110(1), p.19543-19551. 10.1021/jp063646817004817
49
RezaeiDoust, A., Puntervold, T., Strand, S., and Austad, T., 2009. Smart Water as Wettability Modifier in Carbonate and Sandstone: A Discussion of Similarities/Differences in the Chemical Mechanisms, Energy Fuels, 23(1), p.4479-4485. 10.1021/ef900185q
50
Rosestolato, J.C.S., Gramatges, A.B., and Lachter, E.R., 2019. Lipid nanostructures as surfactant carriers for enhanced oil recovery, Proc. of the SPE Gas & Oil Technology Showcase and Conference, Dubai, UAE, October 2019. 10.1016/j.fuel.2018.11.027
51
Sadatshojaei, E., Jamialahmadi, M., Esmaeilzadeh, F., and Ghazanfari, M.H., 2016. Effects of low-salinity water coupled with silica nanoparticles on wettability alteration of dolomite at reservoir temperature, Petroleum Science and Technology, 34(15), p.1345-1351. 10.1080/10916466.2016.1204316
52
Shabib-Asl, A., Ayoub, M., Alta'ee, A., Saaid, I.B.M., and Valentim, P.P.J., 2014. Comprehensive review of foam application during foam assisted water alternating gas (FAWAG) method, Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 8(17), p.1896-1904. 10.19026/rjaset.8.1179
53
Son, H. and Sung, W., 2016. Study on enhanced oil recovery using silica nanoparticles and zwitterionic surfactants in brine, Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers, 53(5), p.498-505. 10.12972/ksmer.2016.53.5.498
54
Sun, X., Zhang, Y., Chen, G., and Gai, Z., 2017. Application of Nanoparticles in Enhanced Oil Recovery: A Critical Review of Recent Progress, Energies, 10(1), 345p. 10.3390/en10030345
55
Teklu, T.W., Alameri, W., Kazemi, H., and Graves, R.M., 2015. Contact Angle Measurements on Conventional and Unconventional Reservoir Cores, Proc. of the Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, San Antonio, Texas, USA, July 2015. 10.2118/178568-MS
56
Tola, S., Sasaki, K., and Yuichi S., 2017. Wettability Alteration of Sandstone With Zinc Oxide Nano-Particles, Proc. of the SPWLA 23rd Formation Evaluation Symposium of Japan, Chiba, Japan, October 2017.
57
Trokhymchuk, A., Henderson, D., Nikolov, A., and Wasan, D.T., 2001. A Simple Calculation of Structural and Depletion Forces for Fluids/Suspensions Confined in a Film, Langmuir, 17(1), p.4940-4947. 10.1021/la010047d
58
Tunio, S.Q. and Chandio, T.A., 2012. Recovery enhancement with application of FAWAG for a Malaysian field, Journal of Applied Sciences, 4(1), p.8-10.
59
Wasan, D., Nikolov, A., and Kondiparty, K., 2011. The wetting and spreading of nanofluids on solids: Role of the structural disjoining pressure, Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science, 16(4), p.344-349. 10.1016/j.cocis.2011.02.001
60
Xu, X., Saeedi, A., Liu, K., 2017. An experimental study of combined foam/surfactant polymer(SP) flooding for carbonate dioxide-enhanced oil recovery(CO2-EOR), Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 149, p.603-611. 10.1016/j.petrol.2016.11.022
61
Yousef, A.A., Al-Saleh, S., Al-Kaabi, A., Mohammed, A., 2010. Laboratory Investigation of Novel Oil Recovery Method for Carbonate Reservoirs, Proc. of the Canadian Unconventional Resources and International Petroleum Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, October 2010. 10.2118/137634-MS
62
Zeyghami, M., Kharrat, R., and Ghazanfari, M.H., 2014. Investigation of the applicability of nano silica particles as a thickening additive for polymer solutions applied in EOR processes, Energy Source Part A, 36(1), p.1315-1324. 10.1080/15567036.2010.551272
Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국자원공학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국자원공학회지
  • Volume : 58
  • No :6
  • Pages :580-591
  • Received Date : 2021-09-23
  • Revised Date : 2021-11-12
  • Accepted Date : 2021-12-27
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.32390/ksmer.2021.58.6.580
Journal Informaiton Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers
Online Submission
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • crossref crossmark
  • crossref cited-by
  • KCI 문헌 유사도 검사
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close