Title: Optimising chemical concentration and injection volume in the ASP process: a combined approach incorporating experiments and the optimal experimental design

Authors: Pham Huu Tai; Nguyen Xuan Huy; Linh Hai Luong; Nguyen Viet Khoi Nguyen

Addresses: PetroVietnam University, 762 Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, Long Toan Ward, Ba Ria City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province 790000, Vietnam; Faculty of Geology and Petroleum Engineering, Ho Chi Minh University of Technology, VNU-HCM, 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam ' Faculty of Geology and Petroleum Engineering, Ho Chi Minh University of Technology, VNU-HCM, 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam ' PetroVietnam University, 762 Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, Long Toan Ward, Ba Ria City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province 790000, Vietnam ' PetroVietnam University, 762 Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, Long Toan Ward, Ba Ria City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province 790000, Vietnam

Abstract: The efficiency of utilising an alkaline-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding technique for enhanced oil recovery is primarily reliant on the middle-phase microemulsion that forms between the ASP solution and oil. This microemulsion phase exhibits ultralow interfacial tensions, contributing to increased oil recovery. In this study, an optimal experimental design and response surface methodology were employed to predict the ideal concentration of chemicals in the ASP solution for achieving maximum microemulsion quality. Subsequently, the optimised ASP formulation was tested on 10 core flooding experiments to determine the most effective injection volume. The findings revealed that the optimal concentration of surfactants in the ASP solution was 0.57 wt%, while the effective injection volume reached 19.47% of the pore volume. [Received: July 14, 2022; Accepted: July 14, 2023]

Keywords: alkaline-surfactant-polymer; ASP flooding; alpha olefin sulfonate; Box-Behnken design; solubilisation ratio; response surface methodology; RSM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2023.134574

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2023 Vol.34 No.3, pp.229 - 247

Received: 13 Jul 2022
Accepted: 14 Jul 2023
Published online: 27 Oct 2023 *

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