Effect of the Application of Aluminium Oxide on Recovery in Enhanced Oil Recovery

Abstract

The use of metallic oxides in enhanced oil recovery in the initial stage seems to significantly enhance the productivity from a well by increasing the sweep efficiency, reduce interfacial tension, and reduce oil viscosity among other factors. However, in later stages of the life of the reservoir, it is observed that the technology brings adverse effects such as reduction in the permeability of the reservoir rock, which may cause decline in production and may lead to the abandonment of the reservoir, although there may be sufficient underlying hydrocarbon. This paper studies the extent of permeability alteration due to the aluminium oxide nano-powder, the total amount of recovery due to aluminium oxide nano-powder. It also compares the performance of aluminium oxide nano powder with other selected nano powders, which are silicon oxide and magnesium oxide. In the experiment, the Core Flooding System was used to simulate reservoir fluid flow in the constructed sand packs. The Enhanced Oil Recovery percentages as well as permeability changes were obtained. From the results, in comparison with traditional water flooding, aluminium oxide as well as silicon oxide and magnesium oxide gave high increase in recovery. However, aluminium produced the greatest recovery increase. A higher permeability change was given by aluminium oxide at higher concentration, while at lower concentration, aluminium oxide gave a lower permeability change.