A comparative phase behavior study of different alkali/heavy oil/water systems on heavy oil water flooding

For many mobile heavy oil reserves in Western Canada, thermal-based enhanced oil recovery methods are not economically applicable due to the thin payzone thickness. Alkaline flooding, one of chemical recovery methods, has great potential for enhancing oil recovery. In this process, alkali-containing fluid is injected into the heavy oil reservoir and reacted with the saponifiable components to generate natural surfactant in-situ. The formation of surfactant and associated phase behavior phenomena, will contribute to additional oil recovery due to reducing oil/water interfacial tension and altering wettability. The proposed study is concentrating on the complex phase behavior of alkali-heavy oil-brine systems using three different alkalis (sodium carbonate, ammonium hydroxide, and sodium hydroxide) at ambient or high pressure. This study will identify the type of micro-emulsion phases formed, analyze the detailed composition and fluid properties of generated equilibrium phases, and measure interfacial tensions between equilibrium phases to prove the reaction mechanisms for alkali flooding process.

Faculty Supervisor:

Na Jenna Jia

Student:

Partner:

Petroleum Technology Research Centre

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Regina

Program: