The aim of this work was to compare the efficiency of a biosurfactant (BS) and a commercial surfactant under post-salt and pre-salt reservoirs conditions, to evaluate their potential use to EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery). Rhamnolipids BS from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (INCQS 4046), were produced [1] and characterized [2], [3], and Ultrasperse II® was purchased. Calcite flotation test was conducted to access wettability reversal [4]. IFT analysis was performed [5] under controlled pressure, temperature and salinity to simulate post-salt and pre-salt environmental conditions. Central Composite Rotational Designs (CCRD) were analyzed [6]. According to results, it was demonstrated that both products can reverse wettability and are even more effective under post-salt and pre-salt reservoirs environmental conditions. However, rhamnolipids present better potential for use, since it was more effective when compared to the commercial surfactant, attaining lower interfacial tension values and higher reversal wettability percentages using lower concentrations of product.

Volume Subject Area:
Petroleum Technology
Topics:
Surfactants, Tertiary petroleum recovery, Reservoirs, Composite materials, Pressure, Surface tension, Temperature
This content is only available via PDF.
Copyright © 2018 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.