Analysis of the interaction between polymer and surfactant in aqueous solutions for chemical-enhanced oil recovery

摘要

Most petroleum reservoirs are subjected to Improved and Enhanced Oil Recovery (IOR and EOR) processes following secondary recovery. EOR involves the application of external forces and substances to improve the chemical and physical interactions in hydrocarbon reservoirs in order to improve preferable recovery conditions. The process of chemical flooding with solutions of polymers and surfactants can be used for developing oil exploitation. Studying the interaction between surfactants and polymers is indispensable for successful oil recovery. The interaction between non-ionic and anionic surfactants and polymers in ternary mixtures was examined at different concentrations and temperatures by dynamic light scattering and gel permeation chromatography. The hydrodynamic size of surfactant-polymer composites was higher than the particle size of individual components indicating a formation of associates. The size of associates was increased by increasing the concentration of the surfactants and the temperature. It could be supposed that the polymer formed a mixed micelle with the surfactants. Gel permeation chromatography has confirmed the increase in molecular weight of the associate formed by surfactants and polymers.