Alkoxylated Co-Solvents for EOR Microemulsion Viscosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for cost-effective methods in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) that improve the efficiency of oil extraction from reservoirs using chemical injection techniques, as existing methods often require expensive chemicals and have limitations in achieving optimal oil recovery.
Innovation Solution
The use of alkoxylated co-solvents, defined by a specific formula, in EOR formulations to provide faster equilibration, low microemulsion viscosity, and improved aqueous stability, which can be incorporated into compositions with surfactants and polymers to enhance oil recovery processes such as Alkaline Surfactant Polymer (ASP), Alkaline Co-Solvent Polymer (ACP), and Surfactant Polymer (SP) processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional chemical injection methods are used in EOR, then oil recovery can be improved, but the cost increases due to expensive chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive co-solvents (alcohols, glycols, or carboxylic acid esters) as temporary additives that perform their function of enhancing surfactant solubility and microemulsion formation, then can be disposed of with the produced water. These cheap co-solvents replace or reduce the need for expensive specialized chemicals while achieving the same EOR objective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite chemical systems by combining surfactants with co-solvents in specific formulations. The co-solvent acts as a bridge between the surfactant and the aqueous/organic phases, creating a composite system that achieves better oil recovery than either component alone, while using cost-effective materials.
2Productivity
If surfactant concentration is increased to improve oil recovery, then interfacial tension decreases, but microemulsion viscosity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the microemulsion system by introducing co-solvents that modify the solubility and interaction parameters between surfactant, oil, and water phases. This allows the system to achieve low interfacial tension and good stability at lower surfactant concentrations, thereby maintaining low viscosity while improving oil recovery.
3Productivity
If equilibration time is reduced for faster EOR, then productivity increases, but the quality of microemulsion formation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The co-solvent is introduced into the system beforehand to pre-condition the aqueous phase, enhancing surfactant solubility and micelle formation kinetics. This preliminary action by the co-solvent allows the microemulsion to form faster and reach equilibrium more quickly without compromising the stability or quality of the final emulsion structure.
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
The alkoxylated co-solvents enhance oil recovery by providing a broad interfacial tension region, increasing solubilization ratios, and reducing microemulsion viscosity, leading to more efficient displacement of oil from reservoirs and improved productivity in EOR processes.
Implementation Method 1
Aqueous solutions of surfactants such as petroleum sulfonates may be injected to lower the interfacial tension or capillary pressure that impedes oil droplets from moving through a reservoir
Implementation Method 2
Aqueous solutions of surfactants such as petroleum sulfonates may be injected to lower the interfacial tension or capillary pressure that impedes oil droplets from moving through a reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are compounds, compositions, and methods having application in the field of enhanced oil recovery (EOR). In particular, provided herein are co-solvents, as well as aqueous compositions comprising these co-solvents, that can be used for the recovery of a large range of crude oil compositions from reservoirs.