THERMOTOGA BOLAFORMA LIPIDS VISCOELASTIC SURFACTANTS FOR DEMULSIFICATION AND IMPROVED HYDROCARBON RECOVERY: HIGH PERFORMANCE AT ULTRA-LOW CONCENTRATION.

Abstract

The present invention discloses a biotechnological method for producing a bolaforma (LB) lipid composition from Thermotoga and demonstrates the benefit of its application in demulsification and enhanced oil recovery processes. The LB composition possesses viscoelastic, demulsifying, dispersing, wettability-modifying, interfacial tension-reducing, and crude oil viscosity-reducing properties. It exhibits stability, compatibility, and functionality in carbonate reservoirs, sandstones, siltstones, shales, or heterogeneous lithologies, as well as under conditions of high temperature, high divalent ion content, high salinity, or pH variations. It induces the formation of a viscoelastic interface that separates the aqueous from the oil phase, overcomes preferential fluid flow, breaks emulsions, and significantly improves oil sweep and desorption at concentrations as low as 0.005 to 0.01 wt%.