Emulsion formation: How well will the flooding solution mix with the oil?
The main effect of surfactants in a flooding mixture is that they reduce the interfacial tension (IFT) against oil. At first this sounds like a bad idea, because lower IFT means it is easier to form a larger interface, which should favor the detrimental effect of fingering – water forming flow channels inside the oil phase. The trick is to reduce the IFT enough to form an emulsion, i.e. a liquid in which drops of oil are dispersed in the aqueous phase, which mobilizes the oil. It is obvious that IFT measurements should closely accompany the preparation of a sweep .
Microemulsions: Making the water/oil mixture behave like water
Using a combination of surfactants, even microemulsions can be formed. These are stable water/oil mixtures in which oil is optimally mobilized. Microemulsions form spontaneously, i.e. without having to use additional energy to mix them. The interfacial tension in the state of a microemulsion is extremely low. To measure in that range, a specialized measuring technique called spinning drop tensiometry (see image) is required and helps find the right formulation for forming a microemulsion.
Reservoir conditions: Analysis with realistic simulations
Analyses under the pressure and temperature conditions of the reservoir are particularly valuable if you want to understand the actual interfacial processes deep underground. Special solutions for this purpose provide reliable data for adjusting the process control and the formulation of flooding mixtures to the real conditions.
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SDT
Measurement of interfacial tension in a wide range for optimizing emulsions
Tensíío
The new generation tensiometer for liquid and solid surfaces
DSA100HP690
High pressure interfacial analysis for flooding methods in EOR