Micro-Scale Visualization of Enhanced Oil Recovery by Micro-Emulsion Chemical Flooding

doi:10.12388/j.issn.1673-2677.2024.02.010

Abstract

Abstract:

Chemical flooding plays an important role in improving oilfield recovery. The micro-emulsion system has been widely studied and applied owing to its unique properties. In this experiment，the alcohols with carbon numbers less than five were selected as cosurfactants to optimize the performance of the micro-emulsion system. The dynamic oil displacement process，morphology and distribution of residual oil and displacement performance of micro-emulsion flooding were visualized using microfluidic technology. Firstly，the mass fractions of isopropanol and n-butanol in the cosurfactants were optimized，followed by the optimization of NaCl mass fractions. Ultimately，microscopic visual displacement experiments were conducted with the optimal micro-emulsion formulation. The results show that the optimal micro-emulsion formulation is as follows：an fixed oil-water ratio of 1∶1，5 wt% SDS，8 wt% n-butanol and 3 wt% NaCl as the optimum. The corresponding ultimate oil recovery is 98.8%，and the residual oil saturations are 0.15% and 1.05% in the high- and low- permeability zones，respectively. NaCl can change the polarity of water to reduce interfacial tension. The combination of n-butanol with surfactants and NaCl can greatly reduce interfacial tension and modify the wettability of the microfluidic chip，leading to promoted oil detachment and enhanced mobility of residual oil. Using microfluidic technology to study the in situ emulsification and dynamic displacement process of micro-emulsions provides effective theoretical guidance and technical support for efficient development of reservoir residual oil.

Key words:

micro-emulsion, microfluidic chip, enhanced oil recovery, visualization, chemical flooding

摘要：

化学驱技术在提高油田采收率方面起着重要作用，微乳液体系因其独特性能得到广泛的研究和应用。采用复配C₅以下的醇作为助表面活性剂优选微乳液体系，通过微流控技术可视化分析微乳液驱油的动态驱替过程、剩余油形态和分布及驱油效果。首先优选助表面活性剂异丙醇和正丁醇的质量分数，再进一步优选NaCl的质量分数，最终结合微观可视化驱替实验选取最优配方。实验结果表明，固定油水两相比例1∶1、十二烷基硫酸钠（SDS）质量分数5%、8%正丁醇作为助剂、3%NaCl为最佳配方，最终采收率达98.8%；在高渗区剩余油饱和度为0.15%，低渗区剩余油饱和度为1.05%；NaCl可以通过改变水的极性降低界面张力；正丁醇作为助剂，因其独特性能，在微乳液驱油中与表面活性剂和NaCl协同可大幅度降低界面张力，改变芯片亲油性，促进油的剥离，大幅提高动用剩余油的能力。利用微流控技术研究微乳液原位乳化动态驱替过程为储层剩余油的高效开发提供了有效的理论指导和技术支撑。

关键词:

微乳液, 微流控芯片, 提高采收率, 可视化, 化学驱

CLC Number:

TE357 ','1');return false;" target="_blank">
TE357

ZHU Zhehan, HE Fen, YANG Zhenhang, WANG Chen, YU Wenqiang, ZHOU Yi.

Micro-Scale Visualization of Enhanced Oil Recovery by Micro-Emulsion Chemical Flooding

[J]. Xinjiang Oil & Gas, 2024, 21(2): 79-.

朱哲涵, 何芬, 杨振航, 王辰, 于文强, 周毅.

微乳液化学驱油提高采收率微观可视化

[J]. 新疆石油天然气, 2024, 21(2): 79-.

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