Static and Dynamic Investigation of Effective Parameters on Water Injection Performance in the Presence of Nanofluids

Oil production from oil reservoirs containing oil in water (O/W) and water in oil (W/O) emulsionshas always been accompanied by some problems. The increase in apparent viscosity of the oil,pore throats blockage, and consequently, the increased rate of pressure drop are among theseproblems. Investigating the behavior of this type of oil in the porous medium can help to understandthe problem. Although metal oxide nanoparticles can increase the oil recovery and thereforeimprove the performance of reservoirs, they can result in the formation of W/O emulsions, dueto their potential properties. In this study, the formation and stability of the emulsion were firstevaluated and then the nanofluids were injected into a carbonate sand pack. Tests were conductedin the ambient condition. The amount of produced oil in the presence of three nanoparticlesconsist of TiO2, SiO2, and Fe3O4 has been investigated. Moreover, the effect of water injection onthe system containing emulsions created by both different ions present in the seawater and ironoxide nanoparticles has been investigated. The results show that the iron oxide nanoparticles causehigh-pressure oscillations by forming more stable emulsions in the porous media.

Keywords:

Ambient Condition , Emulsion , Metal Oxide Nanoparticles , Pressure Drop , Water Flooding