Synthesis of hydrophobic polymeric surfactant (Polyacrylamide/Zwitterionic) and its effect on enhanced oil recovery (EOR)

Injection of surfactant and polymer at the same time is one of the challenges that reduce their performance in reservoirs. Using a polymeric surfactant (PS) as a single new material can be the best alternative to solve the existing challenges. Considering the basic problems of chemical injection, this work focuses on the surface adsorption of polymer/surfactant on carbonate reservoirs (CRs). In this work, polyacrylamide was synthesized using zwitterionic as a hydrophobic polymeric surfactant (i.e. HZPAA). For a better comparison, this substance was compared with hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAA) in concentrations of 40 to 1000 mg in CRs. Examining the results states that with increasing polymer concentration, the surface absorption of HZPAA and HPAA on dolomite reservoir rocks (DRRs) with positive surface charge increases. The attendance of COO and SO 3− functional groups in the matrix of the new polymer (i.e. HZPAA) creates electrostatic forces and superior surface absorption. Their mechanism works in such a way that negative functional groups attract positively charged surfaces and increase the surface absorption of the polymer. Investigations show that the new synthesized material (i.e. HZPAA) can provide a new approach to improving surface absorption in carbonate reservoirs.