Abdolmohsen Shabib-Asl ¹, Mohammed Abdalla Ayoub ¹, Khaled Abdalla Elraies ¹, Seyednooroldin Hosseini ¹, Hamed Hematpour ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Petroleum Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Bandar Seri Iskandar - 32610, Tronoh, Perak, MY

Abstract

Objectives: To find the surfactant aqueous solution that will ultimately reduce the IFT and form a more stable solution in presence of oil. Methods/Analysis: Each test was performed at 80oC. The Low Salinity Water (LSW) consisted of thirtyone samples with different ion compositions and concentrations ranging from 500 to 6500 ppm. The surfactant aqueous solutions were prepared by mixing proportions of surfactant with each of the LSW aqueous solutions. For Interfacial Tension (IFT) and Foam Stability Test (FST), two types of crude oil with different Total Acid Number and Total Base Number were used. Findings: The experimental results revealed that for both crude oils A and B, the surfactant solution with LSW composed of monovalent ions of sodium and potassium caused much changes in the IFT and were characterized with stable foam columns as compared to the divalent cations of magnesium, Calcium, as well as the mixture compositions. However, changes for crude oil B (lower TAN and higher TBN) were greater than for crude oil A (higher TAN and lower TBN). Similar results were observed for AST. The formation water presented poor results for all the tests. Novelty/Improvement: This paper is very important in a way that attempts to produce a foam formulation that will remain stable even in the presence of oil; a study never performed before. Moreover, the obtained results are valuable for further lying down the truth behind the effects of LSW on the IFT, AST, and FST. Furthermore, it applies a good approach when using two different types of light crude oils for the IFT and FST.

Keywords

Acid Number, Base Number, Interfacial Tension.

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Hamed Hematpour ¹, Syed Mohammad Mahmood ¹, Mohammad Khan Memon ¹, Ali Mohammad Mongy ¹

Affiliations
1 Petroleum Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, MY

Abstract

Background/Objectives: In order to derive foam model’s parameters for simulation, steady state experiments should be conducted because it can satisfied local equilibrium condition for modeling. Although this method is commonly used, it is time-consuming. Unsteady state experiment is one of the alternative approaches. In order to utilize this approach, it is required to be proven whether can satisfy local equilibrium or not. Analysis: In this study, the condition of local equilibrium in unsteady state experiment was investigated. All governing equations in foam process were utilized to show whether in unsteady state experiments there is local equilibrium or not. In order to achieve the goal of this study, Various Assumptions were considered to simplify the model. Finding: As results, it has been proven that the local equilibrium condition can be applied to the front zone in unsteady state foam flooding. Regarding this result, it can be concluded that to drive model parameters of foam assisted process, unsteady state experiments can be performed instead of the steady state. Novelty: Accordingly, this study aims to prove that whether the unsteady state data can be utilized to in foam modeling or not.

Keywords

Unsteady State, Steady State, Foam Flooding, Foam Models, Local Equilibrium.

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Hamed Hematpour ¹, Syed Mohammad Mahmood ¹, Saeed Akbari ¹, Abdolmohsen Shabib Asl ¹

Affiliations
1 Petroleum Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, MY

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Nowadays, gas injection is one of a convenient method to increase oil recovery. The drawbacks of gas injection have been solved, to some extent, via introducing the foam assisted process. In order to accomplish an advantageous foam flooding a suitable model for foam is required to be able to predict the foam behavior appropriately. Analysis: This paper describes the basic concept of foam as well as different foam model approaches for foam assisted process in Enhanced Oil Recovery. In addition, pros and cons of each approach has been tabulated and discussed. Finding: We able to provide the advantages and disadvantages of each modeling approach as well as those parameters which have a significant effect on each model. The result depicted that, the best way to simulate the foam flooding in the commercial simulator is the Empirical approach. However, this model is not able to predict the behavior of foam in unsteady state properly. Novelty: The lack of a brief and informative study about basic of foam modeling approaches is the motivation of this study. Accordingly, this study presents the general overview in foam models which has been developed in the past three decades.

Keywords

Empirical Approach, Foam Flooding, Foam Modeling, Gas Mobility Reduction, Mechanistic Approach.

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