Application of Ionic Liquids in Enhanced Oil Recovery for Iranian Oil Fields

Ionic liquids (ILs) are liquid salts with poorly adjusted ions that having unique and promising properties, which received great interests recentlyas powerful green solvents. In this study, triethylammoniumchloroaluminate ([(Et)٣NH][AlCl٤]) and its two modified ionic liquids ([Et٣ NH][AlCl٤]-Cu٢+ and [Et٣NH][AlCl٤]-Ni٢+) are synthesized carefully and their different effects on enhanced oil recovery are investigated. During the experimental work, an Iranian heavy crude oil and outcrop samples from Sarvak and Asmari-Jahrom formations were utilized. Core plugs, andthin disks of the rock were prepared and aged in the crude to attainrestored state samples. The resulted wettability alterations, removing Asphaltene deposition from the rock surfaces and oil viscosity reduction as the IL is injected, were monitored carefully for each ionic liquid. Thepotential of the ILs for increasing oil recovery and in-situ upgrading ofheavy oil are also examined at reservoir condition by core flooding experiments. The results showed that over the recovery improvements, the IL decreases the viscosity and asphaltene content of crude oil andmakes rock surfaces more water-wet by reducing the contact angle.

Keywords:

ionic Liquids , heavy oil , upgrading , enhanced oil recovery