Laboratory investigation of parameters affecting CO{sub 2}-foam mobility in sandstone at reservoir conditions

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:170032

Yaghoobi, H; Heller, J P ^[1]

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1. New Mexico Inst. of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM (United States)

In CO{sub 2} floods the large viscosity contrast between the reservoir and injected fluids induces an unfavorable mobility ratio that results in early breakthrough and consequently decreases oil sweep efficiency. There is evidence that the presence of an aqueous surfactant solution will produce a foam with CO{sub 2}. This not only controls the gas mobility but may also selectively reduce the gas mobility through regions of differing permeabilities. This could be a very favorable phenomenon in EOR processes if it occurs in the reservoir. The purpose of this study is to evaluate foam application from these perspectives. This study concerns a series of steady-state CO{sub 2}-foam flow experiments in Berea sandstone cores at typical reservoir conditions. The effects on foam mobility of flow rate, foam quality, surfactant type, surfactant concentration, and rock permeability were investigated. Four commercial surfactants (Chevron Chaser{trademark} CD1040, CD1045, CD1050 and Shell Enordet 2001) at 500 ppm and 2500 ppm concentrations (in 2 wt% brine) were used. In each run the contribution of each parameter on foam mobility was evaluated independently.

• OSTI ID: 170032
• Report Number(s): CONF-941185--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
CARBON DIOXIDE INJECTION
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID MECHANICS
OIL WELLS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHASE STUDIES
WELL STIMULATION