Synthesis and Dispersion Stability Test of Seawater-based Nano-Smart Fluids

Abstract

In this study, nano-smart fluids available in high-temperature and high-salinity reservoirs were synthesized with surface-modified nanoparticles and potential determining ion(PDI)-controlled seawater to maximize oil production in carbonate reservoirs. Phase behavior observation and particle size analysis were also carried out to evaluate the dispersion stability of synthesized nano-smart fluids. Seawater was prepared based on the seawater composition of the Persian Gulf region and PDIs(K+, Mg2+, and SO4 2–) were added to the seawater. In addition, 0.05-3 wt% of surface-modified SiO2 nanoparticles were dispersed in the smart water prepared as aforementioned. As a result of the dispersion stability test, it was confirmed that stable fluids without agglomeration and precipitation could be synthesized at the condition with room temperature of 25°C and high temperature of 80°C as well as in the salinity range of seawater when the nanoparticle concentration was 0.5 wt% or more.