Abstract
Bio-surfactant solutions have been point out as a promissory component to replace fossil-derived
surfactants to improving the displacement efficiency in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods.
This study compares the performance of rhamnolipid as a bio-surfactant and sodium
dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) as a synthetic surfactant in EOR from carbonate reservoirs. The
effects of their use were evaluated by considering the effect of different levels of salinity and the
results of various well-established experimental tests such as of fluid-phase behaviour, wettability
alteration, interfacial tension (IFT) reduction, and core flooding. The rhamnolipid bio-surfactant
has been recognized as a better surface agent used to change the wettability of calcite to a strong
water-wet system in comparison to sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate. The results confirmed that
when the salinity of low-saline brine was increased to 0.6 M, with a concentration of 0.5 wt. % of
rhamnolipid, the wettability of the rock surfaces changed to become more water-wet. Also, values
of IFT between model oil and low-saline brine were measured as 1.1 ± 0.3 and 2.8 ± 0.4 (mN/m)
when using the rhamnolipid and SDBS respectively as modifiers within the aqueous solutions.
Finally, the outcomes of core flooding experiments revealed that the rhamnolipid surfactant could
minimize flow problems arising from the formation of emulsions, leading to 14.98 % higher
ultimate oil recovery compared to SDBS.
surfactants to improving the displacement efficiency in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods.
This study compares the performance of rhamnolipid as a bio-surfactant and sodium
dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) as a synthetic surfactant in EOR from carbonate reservoirs. The
effects of their use were evaluated by considering the effect of different levels of salinity and the
results of various well-established experimental tests such as of fluid-phase behaviour, wettability
alteration, interfacial tension (IFT) reduction, and core flooding. The rhamnolipid bio-surfactant
has been recognized as a better surface agent used to change the wettability of calcite to a strong
water-wet system in comparison to sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate. The results confirmed that
when the salinity of low-saline brine was increased to 0.6 M, with a concentration of 0.5 wt. % of
rhamnolipid, the wettability of the rock surfaces changed to become more water-wet. Also, values
of IFT between model oil and low-saline brine were measured as 1.1 ± 0.3 and 2.8 ± 0.4 (mN/m)
when using the rhamnolipid and SDBS respectively as modifiers within the aqueous solutions.
Finally, the outcomes of core flooding experiments revealed that the rhamnolipid surfactant could
minimize flow problems arising from the formation of emulsions, leading to 14.98 % higher
ultimate oil recovery compared to SDBS.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 3 Jan 2022 |