The Development of EOR Composite Surfactant and Study of Alkali Effect on Foam Properties

Abstract

Crude oil has been primary extracted by natural derive mechanism utilizing its natural reservoir energy, however, due to decline in reservoir energy, the production becomes unstainable. Second stage of extraction technology involves injection of water to maintain the pressure, yet water technology face with challenges of viscous fingering. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques are advanced methods to maximize hydrocarbon extraction from oil reservoirs. Foam injection is one of the important techniques that addresses early gas breakthrough and improve oil extraction. However, challenges of foam instability persist at high reservoir temperature. This work intends to create a new composite surfactant formulation to generate stable foam for use in EOR applications.