Impact of Water Chemistry on Zwitterionic Foamers for Enhanced Oil Recovery

ABSTRACT Selecting the correct surfactant for gas injection enhanced oil recovery is essential for optimal yield during the extraction. The surfactants assist in the retention and effectiveness of the gas being injected by manipulating volume and viscosity through the foam properties being generated. Selection of the right surfactant will determine the foam volume, bubble size, and overall rate of foam deterioration. Unfortunately, not every enhanced oil recovery (EOR) site around the world has access to the same water quality; thus, each site must face the challenges of varying water chemistry. This article presents the experimental work done to screen and rank three zwitterionic surfactant families by evaluating the foam properties and impact on interfacial tension with crude oil in varying water sources.