Optimization Technique for the Evaluation of Physiochemical Properties of Cationic Surfactant in Presence of Alkali / Metal Halide Salt and their Effects on Acidic Crude Oil

Despite the considerable progress in the safe and effective use of renewable energy, oil is still the world's first choice as an energy source. Meanwhile, after the traditional oil recovery methods, a large quantity of crude oil remains deposited in the oil well. The chemical enhances oil recovery method implies the injection of surfactants to increase oil recovery. The basic principle of surfactant flooding is to decrease the imbalance tension force to increase the mobility ratio of oil. In this study, extensive lab work has been done to identify the synergic effect of surfactant, alkali, and salt on acidic crude oil. The design expert generated the composition of the injection fluid, and the obtained results in terms of viscosity, surface tension, pH, and conductivity are reported in this paper. Also, the optimum point or the concentration combination of surfactant, alkali, and salt generated by the design expert has the maximum effect on the acidic crude oil. A remarkable decline was noticed in the acidic crude and surface tension's viscosity at an optimum point. In contrast, an increase in pH and conductivity of acidic oil was observed. The results reported herein correspond to a significant understanding of the interaction of surfactant-alkali and salt solution with acidic crude and change in the crude oil properties.