Alkoxy Multicarboxylate Surfactant for Enhanced Oil Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods, particularly tertiary recovery processes, face limitations in maximizing hydrocarbon extraction due to declining reservoir pressure and the inefficiency of existing surfactant compositions, which restrict the recovery of a significant portion of original-oil-in-place (OOIP).
Innovation Solution
The use of an aqueous stream containing an alkoxy multicarboxylate compound with a specific chemical formula, comprising a branched or unbranched hydrophobic carbon chain linked by an oxygen atom with an alkoxylated chain and multiple carboxylate groups, is injected into a subterranean reservoir to enhance oil recovery, acting as a surfactant and stabilizer in chemically enhanced oil recovery processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional single-carboxylate surfactants are used in tertiary recovery processes, then the process can be implemented with simpler chemistry, but oil recovery efficiency is limited due to insufficient ability to reduce interfacial tension and stabilize polymer compositions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite surfactant molecules containing multiple carboxylate groups (2-5 groups per molecule) combined with hydrophobic chains and alkoxylated chains. This composite structure enables simultaneous achievement of enhanced interfacial tension reduction and polymer stabilization, directly resolving the contradiction between recovery efficiency and chemical simplicity by integrating multiple functional capabilities into a single molecular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The multicarboxylate surfactants perform multiple functions simultaneously: reducing interfacial tension between oil and water, stabilizing polymer compositions in high-temperature and high-salinity conditions, and enhancing oil mobilization. This multi-functionality allows a single agent to address multiple recovery mechanisms, improving productivity without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Productivity
If polymer compositions are used to maintain reservoir pressure and drive hydrocarbons, then additional 10-50% of OOIP can be produced, but polymer stability deteriorates in high-temperature and high-salinity reservoir conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the surfactant molecules by incorporating multiple carboxylate groups with specific chain lengths and alkoxylated structures. These parameter changes enable the surfactants to maintain stability and effectiveness in high-temperature and high-salinity environments, protecting polymer compositions from degradation and ensuring reliable additional oil production.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If reservoir pressure is maintained through injection processes, then hydrocarbon production can be extended, but the ability to mobilize trapped oil diminishes as reservoir pressure declines over time
Solution Approach 1:
The multicarboxylate surfactants act as intermediaries between the injected aqueous stream and the trapped oil, facilitating mobilization through enhanced interfacial tension reduction and emulsification. This intermediary action enables effective oil recovery even when reservoir pressure is maintained through injection, as the surfactants provide the chemical driving force needed to mobilize trapped hydrocarbons independent of pressure differentials.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach increases oil recovery by stabilizing polymer compositions and reducing interfacial tension, allowing for more effective mobilization and solubilization of trapped oil, even in high-temperature and high-salinity reservoir conditions, thereby extending the production life and increasing the percentage of OOIP recovered.
Implementation Method 1
The use of an aqueous stream containing an alkoxy multicarboxylate compound... acting as a surfactant... reducing interfacial tension, allowing for more effective mobilization and solubilization of trapped oil
Implementation Method 2
This approach increases oil recovery by stabilizing polymer compositions... even in high-temperature and high-salinity reservoir conditions
Implementation Method 3
mobilization and solubilization of trapped oil... acting as a surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the use of a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate, in enhanced oil recovery processes. Embodiments relate to an aqueous stream and the use thereof. The aqueous stream includes a compound having the chemical formula: R1—R2—R3, wherein R1 includes a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 includes an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 includes a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation. R3 includes 2-12 carbon atoms.