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Advances and challenges in CO2 foam technologies for enhanced oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs

Journal Article · · Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. BATTELLE (PACIFIC NW LAB)
  2. Rice University
+ Show Author Affiliations

Utilization of surfactants for generating foam has the potential for fluid-mobility control during CO2 flooding processes, leading to improved oil recovery. This manuscript is a review of the most important aspects for the design of CO2-foams with mobility control in carbonate reservoirs, including recent advances in novel surfactants and analytical techniques for analysis of surfactant adsorption on carbonate minerals and their thermal stability. Several key parameters and properties regarding foam transport in porous media are reviewed such as, the minimum pressure gradient required for foam generation, the effects of the partition coefficient of a CO2-soluble surfactant on foam transport in rock cores, visualization of foam flow by either microfluidic or PET/CT imaging processes in heterogeneous or fractured systems and the effect of oil on foam transport under reservoir conditions. Also are discussed the most recent advances of two major foam modeling methods, including the semi-empirical STARS foam model and the population balance model, as well as CO2 foam pilot tests and the factors governing their successes.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1787469
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-154272
Journal Information:
Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Vol. 202
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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