Dissolved organic matter (DOM) as natural tracking agent in cyclic steam stimulation with preformed foams: a mature heavy oil field case

The object of this paper was to analyze the non-volatile watersoluble fraction or dissolved organic matter (DOM) from production water associated with Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) with preformed foams through high and ultra-high mass spectrometry. Using ESI FT-ICR MS, six naphthenic acids were identified and selected as new potential natural tracking agents. Subsequently, the DOM fractions were analyzed via ESI MSMS, through which semi-quantitative concentrations of these compounds were established for the samples. The results show that the DOM concentration monitored through ESI-MSMS allows for the correlation of changes during the cycles of steam+foam injection with the increases/decreases of oil production in three wells from the Cocorná Field, Colombia. This information becomes relevant for quality control of cyclic steam injection and, hence, for developing heavy oil mature fields. Thus, monitoring water-soluble petroleum compounds is presented as an affordable strategy and a promising tool to track changes in reservoirs subjected to water injection.