Detailed Record



Methane Foam Performance Evaluation in Fractured Oil-wet Carbonate Systems at Elevated Pressure and Temperature Conditions


Abstract The study investigates the potential of foam flooding for enhanced oil recovery in oil-wet fractured systems under reservoir conditions. Two surfactants with distinct ionic properties were employed in combination with methane to generate foam via simultaneous injection into propped fractures, aiming to optimize the diversion of gas from fractures to the matrix for improved oil recovery. Core flooding experiments demonstrated the critical roles of total injection rate and foam quality in controlling foam performance. Increasing the total injection rate from 1 to 3 cm³/min enhanced foam generation rates and foam lamella stability, facilitating better interactions between fractures and the matrix. However, beyond an injection rate of 4 cm³/min, there was a decline in apparent viscosity and mobility reduction factor. Foam strength was directly proportional to higher foam quality within the 50 to 80% range, but beyond 85% foam quality, fluctuations in pressure drop signaled the formation of weaker, less stable foams. Micro-scale experiments validated these macroscopic findings, revealing that smaller bubbles were associated with higher flow rates and lower foam qualities. This research contributes valuable insights into both micro and macro-scale in-situ foam generation, which can inform the design and application of foam-based enhanced oil recovery methods in fractured reservoirs.
Authors Magda Ibrahim Youssif University of WyomingORCID , Keerti Vardhan Sharma University of WyomingORCID , Aktham E. Shoukry University of WyomingORCID , Lamia Goual University of WyomingORCID , Mohammad Piri University of WyomingORCID
Journal Info Elsevier BV | Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering , pages: 112444 - 112444
Publication Date 3/1/2024
ISSN 2213-2929
TypeKeyword Image article
Open Access closed Closed Access
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.112444
KeywordsKeyword Image Foam Assisted Recovery (Score: 0.570669) , Fracture Permeability (Score: 0.556628) , Fracture Conductivity (Score: 0.556197) , Hydraulic Fracturing (Score: 0.52466) , Fracture Propagation (Score: 0.520817)