An evaluation of lignosulfonate as a sacrificial adsorbate in surfactant flooding
A study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of using lignosulfonate as a sacrificial agent in the surfactant flooding process. An analytical technique based on HPLC analysis was used to determine the concentration of lignosulfonate and petroleum sulfonate. Lignosulfonate and petroleum sulfonate adsorption isotherms were established and used to assess the sacrificial effect of lignosulfonate. A simple model to describe the ion exchange in the presence of lignosulfonate was developed. This model includes the association of cations with lignosulfonate. The main results of this study are as follows. First, surfactant loss can be reduced significantly > 50% reduction) by pretreatment with a lignosulfonate preflush. However, no significant reduction is obtained when lignosulfonate is incorporated with the surfactant slug. Second, more cations are exchanged from the rock in the presence of lignosulfonate. This enchanced cation-exchange is due to the association of divalent cations with lignosulfonate. Third, lignosulfonate causes dissolution of soluble minerals to a much greater extent than brine or petroleum sulfonate, producing undesirable divalent cations. Finally, the brine tolerance and optimal salinity of petroleum sulfonate are not greatly affected by lignosulfonate. Based on these laboratory results, we conclude that lignosulfonate has potential as a sacrificial adsorbate for surfactant flooding.
- Research Organization:
- Gulf Research and Development Co.
- OSTI ID:
- 6644669
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8304162-
- Journal Information:
- Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE/DOE 12699; ISSN SEAPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ADDITIVES
ADSORPTION
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
DISPLACEMENT FLUIDS
ESTERS
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
ION EXCHANGE
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM SULFONATES
SORPTION
SULFONATES
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS
SURFACTANTS
WATERFLOODING
WELLS