Testing Oil-Brine and Polymer-Silica IFT with Pendant Drop (Rising Bubble) Method

Abstract

This paper examines how polymer-coated nanoparticles (PNPs) affect interfacial tension (IFT) and their possible use in oil recovery (EOR). In particular, the paper investigates how the IFT between brine and dead oil can be lowered with the help of PNPs prepared with Arabic gum and silica nanoparticles at different temperatures and salinity. IFT was measured at pressures of 25 to 1900 psi and temperatures varying between 25˚C and 55˚C using the pendant drop technique. They demonstrate a continuous decline of IFT with temperature (the highest observed one is at 55˚C). Furthermore, elevated salinity (NaCl) resulted in reduced IFT, but it resulted more at high concentrations. High IFT further was reduced by the presence of silica nanoparticles and Arabic gum with the largest IFT reduction of about 46% potentially occurring in the brine-oil system with nanoparticles. These results indicate that PNPs may provide an attractive solution to enhancing EOR due to their ability to lower IFT, improve the efficiency of oil displacement transport in more difficult reservoirs. The research prepares the ground of additional studies regarding the use of nanotechnology in EOR processes.