Assessment of foam generation and stabilization in the presence of crude oil using a microfluidics system

Abstract The use of foams is a promising technique to overcome gas mobility challenges in petroleum reservoirs. Foam reduces the by increasing apparent viscosity and reducing its relative permeability. A major challenge facing foam application reservoirs long-term stability. effectiveness stability depends on several factors will typically diminish over time due degradation as well foam-rock-oil interactions. In this study, effect crude oil CO 2 -foam be investigated using in-house build microfluidics system developed for rapid prescreening chemical formulations. Two-phase flow emulsification test (oil-surfactant solutions) dynamic tests (in absence presence oil) were conducted perform comparative assessment different surfactant solutions. device was used evaluate strength oil. five formulations fractions. role quality (volume gas/total volume) also addressed study. reduction factor (MRF) measured high salinity water at elevated temperatures. results indicated that has an inverse relationship with amount Crude detrimental foams, decreased increased. Depending type, existence porous media, even very low concentrations 5% can significantly impact strength. act antifoaming agent. It enters thin aqueous film destabilizes it. This resulted lower less stable foams. Thus, MRF dropped higher study demonstrated assembled allows cost-efficient screening