University of Wyoming

Soheil Saraji

Mohammad Piri

Lamia Goual

Morteza Akbarabadi

Vahideh Mirchi

Elizabeth Barsotti

Methods for evaluating an optimal surfactant structure for oil recovery by systematically evaluating surfactants' phase behavior, cloud point, dynamic interfacial tension, dynamic contact angle, and spontaneous and forced imbibition. In one embodiment, a method for determining an optimal surfactant structure for oil recovery includes the steps of evaluating a surfactant's phase behavior, evaluating the surfactant's solubility, evaluating the surfactant's dynamic interfacial tension in a porous rock sample, evaluating the surfactant's static and dynamic contact angles in the porous rock sample, evaluating the surfactant's spontaneous imbibition in the porous rock sample, and evaluating the surfactant's forced imbibition in the porous rock sample. In one example, the surfactant comprises a polyoxyethylenated (POE) straight-chain alcohol.

Methods for determining an optimal surfactant structure for oil recovery

The present invention relates to a nanocondensation apparatus comprising a mass comparator, a core holder, an environmental chamber, and a pump and to methods for studying a fluid-solid system with the nanocondensation apparatus.

Nanocondensation apparatus

Methods for determining an optimal surfactant structure for oil recovery are described. These methods systematically evaluate surfactants' phase behavior at ambient and at reservoir conditions; cloud point from ambient to reservoir conditions; dynamic interfacial tension at ambient and at reservoir conditions, including crude oil bubble images and fitting drop profiles; static contact angles at ambient conditions and dynamic contact angles at reservoir conditions; spontaneous imbibition at ambient conditions; and forced imbibition at reservoir conditions.

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Laramie, WY, United States of America

Soheil Saraji