Mitigating Asphaltene Deposition Using Modified Poly-Vinyl Alcohol and Silica Nanoparticles

2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15490
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: NGUELE RONALD 九州大学, 工学研究院, 助教 (50821401)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: Asphaltene deposition / Nanoparticle / Nanofluid / CO2-EOR

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

The primary purpose of the research was to evaluate the potential of functionalized nanoparticles (NP) and their corresponding nanocomposite (NC)to scavenge asphaltene deposition. It was found that Alumina nanoparticle (Al-NP) and its corresponding nanocomposite (Al/Si-NP) were found to be good candidates. Functionalized using the two-step preparation carbon dioxide (CO2) bubbling, and further used for coreflooding assays using a dead Japanese heavy oil (API 16.6o), it was found that 0. 8 pore volume (PV) of Al-NP (0.05 wt.%), yielded a displacement efficiency (ED) as high as 20%. The results were found 2 times higher than the scenario in which no NP was used. The same flooding sequence using Al/Si-NP yielded an ED of 15.4%. On the other hand, injecting supercritical CO2 into a waterflooded sandstone in which an asphaltenic solution was used as oil phase, the permeability impairment of the sandstone was both around 35%, twice lower when fresh water was used.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

The promising results are further investigated with the latter purpose the development of an hybrid gas injection technique.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Future plans include
1. Investigation of geochemistry contribution
2. Coreflooding at formation conditions
3. Field scale simulations