Efficiency of Ionic Liquid 1-Ethyl-3-Methyl-Imidazolium Acetate ([EMIM][Ac]) in Enhanced Medium Oil Recovery

Abstract

Chemical flooding is one of the most efficient methods for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). This study demonstrates the efficiency of mixing different concentrations of Ionic Liquid (IL), 1-Ethyl-3-Methyl-Imidazolium Acetate ([EMIM][Ac]), with Weyburn brine to improve a medium oil recovery, Weyburn oil, from an unconsolidated sand pack sample at room conditions. Effects of Slug Size (SS), IL + brine slug initiation time, and combining IL with alkali on the Recovery Factor (RF) were investigated. This study showed that the optimum concentration of ([EMIM][AC]) was 1000 ppm and the most efficient injection time of the chemical slug was at the beginning of the flooding procedure (as secondary flooding mode). In addition, it was proved that the potential of injecting a slug of IL + brine is much better than that of introducing a slug of alkali + brine. Besides, the combination of IL and alkali (AIL) resulted in better RF than injecting either of them alone. Finally, the Surface Tension (SFT), pH, wettability alteration, and viscosity of the displacing phases were measured.