A study on the optimization of surfactants in the main and vice slug in weak base ASP flooding

Abstract

In ASP (Alkali-Surfactant-Polymer) flooding processes, surfactants help to enhance oil recovery by lowering the interfacial tension between the oil and water. However, due to the high cost of surfactants and the stability of the emulsion that varies with surfactant concentration, it is necessary to optimize the surfactant concentration in ASP flooding. In this study, we combined numerical simulation and physical experimental research to solve this problem. In order to screen for the optimal surfactant concentration in the main and vice slugs, CMG (Computer Measurement Group) numerical simulation software was used to change the surfactant concentration in the injected compound system and the oil recovery factor and the recovery percent of reserves were compared. The physical experiments were also carried out with different surfactant concentrations and the results verified the simulation results. It shows that the recovery factor increases with the surfactant concentration. The optimal surfactant concentration in the main and vice slug are 0.3% and 0.15%, respectively. As for improving the recovery factor, it is more efficient to increase the mass fraction of the surfactant in the vice slug than in the main slug. It demonstrates that the amount of surfactant in the main slug plays a more important role in displacing oil from the formation.