| Peer-Reviewed

Laboratory Experiment on Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Nanoparticles (NPs) and Permeability Alteration Due to Their Retention in Porous Media

Received: 14 January 2020     Accepted: 10 February 2020     Published: 17 March 2020
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

After secondary flooding, the process of injecting chemicals such as Nanoparticles into the reservoir in order to release and produce the trapped oil in that reservoir is called chemical flooding enhanced oil recovery (CEOR). The trapped oil is due to some forces such as viscous, gravity and capillary forces. Several reservoir problems have been solved with the use of Nanoparticles but the disadvantage is the retention of these Nanoparticles in the pore spaces which can cause pore blockage of reservoir rock and reduce its permeability. The primary aim of oil industry is to find the effect of these nanoparticles on oil recovery. In this work, some types of nanoparticles were selected for sand-pack oil displacement flood test. These Nanoparticles are Magnesium oxide (MgO), Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and silicon oxide (SiO2). They were selected because of their effect to improve oil recovery. They were used to conduct enhanced oil recovery and to evaluate the effect of their retention in porous media at 45°C and 3000 – 3500 Pisa. The Nanoparticles were dispersed in brine. The control experiment and the experiment when Nanoparticles were dispersed in brine were the two set of experiment conducted. The control experiment was used as a bench mark to compare the effect of nanoparticles on oil recovery. From the results obtained from this experiment, Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) was the best performed Nanoparticle after enhanced oil recovery flooding process. Nanoparticles were used to prepare the nanofluids used for tertiary recovery. Nanofluids used to displace oil yield better results but when only brine was used, the recovery was low compared with that of nanoparticles. Increase in nanoparticle concentration increases oil recovery. There was a decrease in permeability of the reservoir rock. Increase in nanoparticles concentration increases the total cost of preparing the nanofluid. The decrease in permeability is caused by pore blockage due to nanoparticles retention in porous media. Only Al2O3 at 0.2%wt is economical feasible compared with other nanoparticles. The ability of nanoparticles to alter certain factors in the formation and in oil properties can be taken as advantage on oil recovery.

Published in American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management (Volume 5, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajetm.20200501.13
Page(s) 18-26
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Nanopartcles, Retention, Alteration, Nanofluids, Enhanced Oil Recovery

References
[1] Jagai A. Ali, Kamal Kolo, Abbas Khaksar Manshad, Amir. H. Mohammadi (26th September, 2018), “Recent Advance in Application of Nanotechnology in Chemical EOR”: Effects of NPs on Wettability Alteration, Interfacial Tension Reduction and Flooding. Egyptian Journal of Petroleum. Pp. 6-9.
[2] A. Agi, R. Junin, and A. Gbadamosi (19th May, 2018), “Mechanism Governing Nanoparticles Flow Behavior in Porous Media”: Insight for EOR Applications. Pp. 3, 4, 5 & 8.
[3] N. A Ogolo, O. A. Okafuyi and M. O. Onyekonwu (April 2012), “EOR Using Nanoparticles” Petroleum Technology Development Fund Research Group, Institute Of Petroleum Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Pp 2-4.
[4] A. I. El-Diasty and A. M. Aly (September, 2015), “Understanding the Mechanisms of NPs Application in Enhanced Oil Recovery”. Presented at the SPE North Africa Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Cairo, Egypt, 14 -16th September, 2015. Pp. 3-5.
[5] N. A. Ogolo, O. A. Olafuyi and M. O. Onyekonwu (June, 2012), “Effects of Nanoparticles on Migrating Fine Formation”. Presented at the SPE International Oilfield Nanotechnology Conference held in Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 12-14 June, 2012.
[6] X. Sun, Y. Zhang, G. Chen and Z. Gai (11th March, 2017), “Application of Nanoparticles in EOR”: A Critical Review of Recent Process. College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of petroleum (East China). Pp. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-8.
[7] L. N. Nwidee (5th July, 2017), “Nanoparticles for Enhanced Oil Recovery Processes”. Pp. 26, 42-46, 48-55.
[8] C. Negin, S. Ali, and Q. Xie (10th October, 2016), “Applications of Nanotechnology for EOR”. Pp. 2, 4.
[9] K. Li, D. Wang and S. Jiang (30th October, 2018), “Review on Enhanced Oil Recovery by Nanofluid”. Pp. 2-3, 6-7 & 22.
[10] L. R. Arif (May, 2015), “Investigation of NPs Dispersion in Porous Media”. Pp. 10-12.
[11] L. N. Nwidee (June, 2017), “NPs for EOR Process”.
[12] C. Uzoho, M. O. Onyekonwu, and O. Akaranta (July, 2019), “Chemical Flooding EOR Using Local Alkaline-Surfactant-Polymer (ASP)”. University of Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria. Pp. 2-3.
[13] C. Uzoho, M. O. Onyekonwu, and O. Akaranta (May, 2019), “Characterization for Local Materials for EOR”. University of Port Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria. Pp. 2-3.
[14] W. Wang, B. Yuan, Y. Su, K. Wang, M. Jiang, R. G. M. Moghanloo, Z. Rui, “NPs Adsorption, Straining and Detachment Behavior and its Effects on Permeability of Berea Cores”. Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Dubai, UAE, 26-28 September, 2016. Pp. 2.
[15] A. A. M. Yassin, U. Teknologi, (February 1988), “EOR in Malaysia”. Paper presented at the 7th offshore South East Asia Conference held in Singapore, 2-5 February, 1988. Pp 2.
[16] Federico Caldelas, Michael J. Murphy, Chun Huh and Steven L. Bryant (March, 2011), “Factors Governing Distance of NPs Propagation in Porous Media”.
[17] C. Uzoho, M. O Onyekonwu and O. Akaranta (August, 2016), “Alkaline Surfactant Flooding in Niger Delta”. Paper presented at the SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition held in Lagos, Nigeria, 2-4 August, 2016. Pp 1, 2.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Odo Jude Emeka, Ohia Princewill Nnaemeka, Nwogu Ngozi, Oguamah Ifeanyi, Ekwueme Stanley, et al. (2020). Laboratory Experiment on Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Nanoparticles (NPs) and Permeability Alteration Due to Their Retention in Porous Media. American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 5(1), 18-26. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajetm.20200501.13

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Odo Jude Emeka; Ohia Princewill Nnaemeka; Nwogu Ngozi; Oguamah Ifeanyi; Ekwueme Stanley, et al. Laboratory Experiment on Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Nanoparticles (NPs) and Permeability Alteration Due to Their Retention in Porous Media. Am. J. Eng. Technol. Manag. 2020, 5(1), 18-26. doi: 10.11648/j.ajetm.20200501.13

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Odo Jude Emeka, Ohia Princewill Nnaemeka, Nwogu Ngozi, Oguamah Ifeanyi, Ekwueme Stanley, et al. Laboratory Experiment on Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Nanoparticles (NPs) and Permeability Alteration Due to Their Retention in Porous Media. Am J Eng Technol Manag. 2020;5(1):18-26. doi: 10.11648/j.ajetm.20200501.13

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajetm.20200501.13,
      author = {Odo Jude Emeka and Ohia Princewill Nnaemeka and Nwogu Ngozi and Oguamah Ifeanyi and Ekwueme Stanley and Ezeh Samuel Chukwudiegwu},
      title = {Laboratory Experiment on Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Nanoparticles (NPs) and Permeability Alteration Due to Their Retention in Porous Media},
      journal = {American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management},
      volume = {5},
      number = {1},
      pages = {18-26},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajetm.20200501.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajetm.20200501.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajetm.20200501.13},
      abstract = {After secondary flooding, the process of injecting chemicals such as Nanoparticles into the reservoir in order to release and produce the trapped oil in that reservoir is called chemical flooding enhanced oil recovery (CEOR). The trapped oil is due to some forces such as viscous, gravity and capillary forces. Several reservoir problems have been solved with the use of Nanoparticles but the disadvantage is the retention of these Nanoparticles in the pore spaces which can cause pore blockage of reservoir rock and reduce its permeability. The primary aim of oil industry is to find the effect of these nanoparticles on oil recovery. In this work, some types of nanoparticles were selected for sand-pack oil displacement flood test. These Nanoparticles are Magnesium oxide (MgO), Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and silicon oxide (SiO2). They were selected because of their effect to improve oil recovery. They were used to conduct enhanced oil recovery and to evaluate the effect of their retention in porous media at 45°C and 3000 – 3500 Pisa. The Nanoparticles were dispersed in brine. The control experiment and the experiment when Nanoparticles were dispersed in brine were the two set of experiment conducted. The control experiment was used as a bench mark to compare the effect of nanoparticles on oil recovery. From the results obtained from this experiment, Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) was the best performed Nanoparticle after enhanced oil recovery flooding process. Nanoparticles were used to prepare the nanofluids used for tertiary recovery. Nanofluids used to displace oil yield better results but when only brine was used, the recovery was low compared with that of nanoparticles. Increase in nanoparticle concentration increases oil recovery. There was a decrease in permeability of the reservoir rock. Increase in nanoparticles concentration increases the total cost of preparing the nanofluid. The decrease in permeability is caused by pore blockage due to nanoparticles retention in porous media. Only Al2O3 at 0.2%wt is economical feasible compared with other nanoparticles. The ability of nanoparticles to alter certain factors in the formation and in oil properties can be taken as advantage on oil recovery.},
     year = {2020}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Laboratory Experiment on Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Nanoparticles (NPs) and Permeability Alteration Due to Their Retention in Porous Media
    AU  - Odo Jude Emeka
    AU  - Ohia Princewill Nnaemeka
    AU  - Nwogu Ngozi
    AU  - Oguamah Ifeanyi
    AU  - Ekwueme Stanley
    AU  - Ezeh Samuel Chukwudiegwu
    Y1  - 2020/03/17
    PY  - 2020
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajetm.20200501.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajetm.20200501.13
    T2  - American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management
    JF  - American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management
    JO  - American Journal of Engineering and Technology Management
    SP  - 18
    EP  - 26
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-1441
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajetm.20200501.13
    AB  - After secondary flooding, the process of injecting chemicals such as Nanoparticles into the reservoir in order to release and produce the trapped oil in that reservoir is called chemical flooding enhanced oil recovery (CEOR). The trapped oil is due to some forces such as viscous, gravity and capillary forces. Several reservoir problems have been solved with the use of Nanoparticles but the disadvantage is the retention of these Nanoparticles in the pore spaces which can cause pore blockage of reservoir rock and reduce its permeability. The primary aim of oil industry is to find the effect of these nanoparticles on oil recovery. In this work, some types of nanoparticles were selected for sand-pack oil displacement flood test. These Nanoparticles are Magnesium oxide (MgO), Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and silicon oxide (SiO2). They were selected because of their effect to improve oil recovery. They were used to conduct enhanced oil recovery and to evaluate the effect of their retention in porous media at 45°C and 3000 – 3500 Pisa. The Nanoparticles were dispersed in brine. The control experiment and the experiment when Nanoparticles were dispersed in brine were the two set of experiment conducted. The control experiment was used as a bench mark to compare the effect of nanoparticles on oil recovery. From the results obtained from this experiment, Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) was the best performed Nanoparticle after enhanced oil recovery flooding process. Nanoparticles were used to prepare the nanofluids used for tertiary recovery. Nanofluids used to displace oil yield better results but when only brine was used, the recovery was low compared with that of nanoparticles. Increase in nanoparticle concentration increases oil recovery. There was a decrease in permeability of the reservoir rock. Increase in nanoparticles concentration increases the total cost of preparing the nanofluid. The decrease in permeability is caused by pore blockage due to nanoparticles retention in porous media. Only Al2O3 at 0.2%wt is economical feasible compared with other nanoparticles. The ability of nanoparticles to alter certain factors in the formation and in oil properties can be taken as advantage on oil recovery.
    VL  - 5
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Petroleum, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Sections