Synthesis, Characterization and Oil Recovery Mechanisms of a Novel Polymeric Nanofluid for High Temperature and High salinity Oil Reservoirs

Abstract At high temperature and high salinity reservoir condition existing chemicals flooding materials such as polymers and surfactants losses most of their desired properties making them less effective. Hence, polymeric nanoparticles (LPNP) with rigid structures have been sort after to circumvent this problem. Therefore, in this study LPNP was synthesized from sago bark and used to improve oil recovery mechanisms. Thereafter, the synthesized LPNP was characterized via transmission electron microscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential, thermogravimetric analysis and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C-NMR). Then, the oil recovery mechanisms of the lignin polymeric nanofluid (LPNF) at high salinity high temperature was examined using Kruss tensiometer and drop shape analyser. The synthesis method was efficacious in producing LPNP with a size range of 6.65–23 nm. Likewise, the 13C-NMR showed that chemical structure of LPNP was not dramatically modified during the synthesis process. Besides, LPNF decreased IFT by 24% – 47.4% and altered wettability from oil-wet (133°) to water-wet (10.2°) at reservoir condition. HPAM and LPNF flooding demonstrated an additional oil recovery of roughly 9% and 26%, respectively. Emulsions formed with LPNF exhibited greater stability and resistance to coalescence. Finally, the mobility ratio. These results suggest that LPNF has potential for application in oilfield to enhanced oil recovery, where increased salinities and high temperature are prevalent.