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Susanna Laurén Apr 2, ’19 ~ 2 min

3 examples of how to utilize high pressure tensiometer

Different enhanced oil recovery methods are used to alter the wettability of the reservoir rock. To study the wettability alteration at the reservoir conditions, an instrument where the measurements can be done at high pressures and temperatures is needed. High pressure tensiometer offers an excellent tool for these measurements. It enables the study of interfacial tension and the contact angle at various experimental conditions.

1. Study the effect of pressure and temperature on interfacial tension

The interfacial tension between brine and CO2 is a measure of the interfacial forces acting between these different phases.CO2-tergitol vs. brine These forces play an important role in determining the effectiveness of the CO2-enhanced oil recovery as they affect the efficiency of the CO2 penetration into the reservoir pores. The measurements should be done at elevated temperatures and pressures to gain information on the interfacial interactions at the reservoir conditions. Surfactants are often used to decrease the interfacial tension and their behavior is also dependent on the pressure and temperature.

2. Evaluate surfactants at elevated pressures and temperatures

Surfactant 1 and 2

Surfactants that perform well at ambient conditions, might behave differently when temperature and pressure are raised. One of the key factors in surfactant development is the ability to test them in the conditions they are intended to be used. High pressure tensiometer can be used to measure interfacial tension between oil and brine with surfactants at high pressures and temperatures.

3. Study the effect of CO2 on wettability

Carbonated seawater injection as an enhanced oil recovery method has gained a lot of attention. It is shown that it can be more efficient than conventional CO2 flooding. To study the effect of CO2 on reservoir rock wettability can be done by using high pressure tensiometer. The measurements are done by placing a drop of hydrocarbon on solid (typically core sample) surrounded by brine with dissolved CO2.

Drops vertical

If you would like to download the slide deck showing the previous examples as well as some of the main features of the instrument, please click the button below.
Slide deck  How do pressure and temperature effect on wettability?  Download

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