Method of robust surfactant screening for foam applications

Abstract

Screening multiple surfactants is performed by a screening method including passing foam compositions comprising a surfactant through a porous media while measuring pressure drop across the porous media until a first steady state pressure drop is achieved. Magnitude and frequency in oscillations of the first steady state pressure are measured. A gas is injected through the porous media while measuring the pressure drop across the porous media until a second steady state pressure drop is achieved. Magnitude and frequency in oscillations of the second steady state pressure drop are measured. Foam stability is determined based on the first steady state pressure drop, second steady state pressure drop, and magnitude and frequency of oscillations during the first and second steady states. Secondary oil recovery may include injecting a foam composition into an oil-containing reservoir, wherein the foam composition is based on results of the screening and properties of the oil-containing reservoir.