An Experimental Feasibility Study of In-situ Nano-particles in Enhanced Oil Recovery and Heavy Oil Production

Abstract

The influence of nanoclays on the asphaltene deposition, the recovery factor, and the solvent consumption of Iranian heavy oil were studied in a vapor extraction process. Experimental setup consisted of two visual sand-packed cells that were packed, one only with glass-beads as oil matrix and the other with glass-beads and modified montmorillonite as nanoclay, while they had similar porosity and permeability. The analysis of variance on simulated, conventional, and nano-assisted vapor extraction processes showed that nanoclays are able to change the matrix heterogeneity. The high content of precipitated asphaltenes in nano-assisted matrix demonstrated that asphaltenes were adsorbed into the nanoclays, dominantly, and distribution of asphaltene showed a reduction in their facial concentration from the injection port to the oil production port in both cells. The results revealed that the nanoclays increase the dissolved efficiency of solvent and the recovery factor by 30(±4)% in all three replicated experiments.

Keywords:

• asphaltene
• heavy oil
• nanoclay
• upgrading
• vapor extraction

Notes

^a The samples were taken in the field conditions and in the pressure of well tubing (6.4 MPa and 60°C).

^b The analysis carried out using flashed heavy oil in the atmospheric pressure.