Preliminary evaluation of a natural surfactant extracted from Myrtus communis plant for enhancing oil recovery from carbonate oil reservoirs

Abstract Surfactants are among the materials used to improve water properties for injection into oil reservoirs, and reduce phase crude interfacial tension (IFT). Recently, interest in use of natural surfactants has increased is constantly on rise solve some challenges using chemical such as incompatibility with environment high cost. In this study, we have aqueous extract powdered leaf Myrtus communis an available source surfactant. The extracted surfactant was characterized by TGA, 1 H NMR FTIR techniques. efficiency demonstrated performing experiments including IFT slug carbonate plugs. adsorption rock also studied. It observed that can 0.861 mN/m at critical micelle concentration (CMC) 5000 ppm. This minimum further reduced optimum salinity alkali. Finally, increase 14.3% recovery flooding 16.4% ASP containing NaOH alkali partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA) polymer 0.5 PV volume from plugs achieved.