Experimental investigation and simplistic geochemical modeling of CO2 mineral carbonation using the mount tawai peridotite

In this work, the potential of CO2 mineral carbonation of brucite (Mg(OH)2) derived from the Mount Tawai peridotite (forsterite based (Mg)2SiO4) to produce thermodynamically stable magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) was evaluated. The effect of three main factors (reaction temperature, particle size, and water vapor) were investigated in a sequence of experiments consisting of aqueous acid leaching, evaporation to dryness of the slurry mass, and then gas-solid carbonation under pressurized CO2. The maximum amount of Mg converted to MgCO3 is ∼99%, which occurred at temperatures between 150 and 175 °C. It was also found that the reduction of particle size range from >200 to <75 μm enhanced the leaching rate significantly. In addition, the results showed the essential role of water vapor in promoting effective carbonation. By increasing water vapor concentration from 5 to 10 vol %, the mineral carbonation rate increased by 30%. This work has also numerically modeled the process by which CO2 gas may be sequestered, by reaction with forsterite in the presence of moisture. In both experimental analysis and geochemical modeling, the results showed that the reaction is favored and of high yield; going almost to completion (within about one year) with the bulk of the carbon partitioning into magnesite and that very little remains in solution

Impact of geological interpretation on reservoir 3D static model: work flow, methodological approach and delivery process

The traditional method of geologic modelling requires the interpretation of geological sections during digitization. But this traditional method has its limitations, the main limits are; it is usually time consuming and the model produced is unique to each individual geologist interpretation and may not be easily replicated by others. This study proposes an alternative workflow method for modelling, constructing and interpreting 3D geologic static model with multi-source data integration. The volume base method (VBM) was used to construct the 3D model. The combination of deterministic and probabilistic methods was used to model the facies workflow process to capture the geometrics of depositional environmental element. The truncated Gaussian simulation method was used with vertical trends option to obtain vertical transitional lithofacies in most of the reservoirs. Verification of results and detailed discussion of the proposed workflow and methodology is based on comparison with the conventional method. The saturation height function (SHF) equation applied to the water saturation model and permeability model improved the 3-D properties modelling workflow. The pillar gridding process was identified as the stage that increases the timeframe in 3-D modelling workflow. The results have proven to improve the overall timeframe and maximize the value of the field studies. The proposed method can be applied to a broad and complex geologic area. And is useful for marginal field development, by contributing economically and improving the deliverability of the entire project

Flow pattern, pressure drop and inclination analysis on liquid-liquid two phase flow of waxy crude oil in pipelines using PIPESIM

Produced water is a water that comes out with the crude oil during the production of the well. It contains non-soluble and soluble oil or organics, dissolved and suspended solids with different chemicals used during production process. Thus, it must be properly accounted as it affects the economical productivity of crude oil and separation efficiency as a result of stubborn emulsions between crude oil and water. Thus, a simulation study was conducted using PIPESIM to predict the flow pattern and pressure drop of waxy crude oil and water flow in horizontal and inclined pipelines (i.e., -15° from horizontal). In this simulation study, water cuts were ranging from 0% to 90% while the flow rates were ranging from 2.03 to 16.21 cm3/s. The study comprised fluid modelling, physical modelling and running the simulation with the most suitable multiphase flow correlation in PIPESIM. This simulation study used the waxy crude oil has 16.15% of wax content and simulation was performed at 30°C. The validity of the simulation results was accomplished by comparing the published findings. There were only two types of flow patterns that can be identified by PIPESIM; stratified wavy and dispersed flow. The investigations proved that pressure drop was greatly influenced by flow rates and flow patterns. By decreasing the inclination angle, the boundary between the stratified and dispersed flow regimes shifted to the upper left of the flow pattern map while showing a higher pressure drop than horizontal pipeline due to the combined effect of pressure difference and gravity. The simulation results can be used as a platform for better understanding on more complex cases of gas, oil and water concurrent flow in pipelines

Treated Rhizophora mucronata tannin as a corrosion inhibitor in chloride solution

Treated Rhizopora mucronata tannin (RMT) as a corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel and copper in oil and gas facilities was investigated. Corrosion rate of carbon-steel and copper in 3wt% NaCl solution by RMT was studied using chemical (weight loss method) and spectroscopic (FTIR) techniques at various temperatures in the ranges of 26–90C. The weight loss data was compared to the electrochemical by the application of Faraday’s law for the conversion of corrosion rate data from one system to another. The inhibitive efficiency of RMT was compared with commercial inhibitor sodium benzotriazole (BTA-S). The best concentration of RMT was 20% (w/v), increase in concentration of RMT decreased the corrosion rate and increased the inhibitive efficiency. Increase in temperature increased the corrosion rate and decreased the inhibitive efficiency but, the rate of corrosion was mild with RMT. The FTIR result shows the presence of hydroxyl group, aromatic group, esters and the substituted benzene group indicating the purity of the tannin. The trend of RMT was similar to that of BTA-S, but its inhibitive efficiency for carbon-steel was poor (6%) compared to RMT (59%). BTA-S was efficient for copper (76%) compared to RMT (74%) at 40% (w/v) and 20% (w/v) concentration respectively. RMT was efficient even at low concentration therefore, the use of RMT as a cost effective and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibiting agent for carbon steel and copper is herein proposed

Tailoring of nanoparticles for chemical enhanced oil recovery activities: a review

Nanotechnology has found its way to petroleum engineering, as it is a well-accepted path in the oil and gas industry to recover more oil trapped in the reservoir. The challenge in nanotechnology in the oil and gas industry is full-scale field application, due to cost. A considerable research and development investment is needed for the implementation of the technology in formulating cheap, readily available and environmentally friendly nanoparticles. In this review, methods of synthesising the different types of nanoparticles is described, detailing the parameters involved in these techniques with the aim of tailoring their distinct properties such as; large surface area and ability to manipulate their behaviour for enhanced oil recovery. The difference between the natural and synthetic polymer nanoparticles and their various method of synthesis is discussed and their advantage in enhanced oil recovery is highlighted. The methods of synthesis can lower the interfacial adsorption of polymer with surface-active properties, prevent aggregation when the nanoparticle is subjected to flow, and prevent degradation. It can also form micelles and liposomes which can lower critical micelle concentration (CMC) and influence phase behaviour. The challenges encountered have opened new frontier for research and are also highlighted herein

Production and characterization of biopolymer schzophyllan using sago starch as a carbon source

A significant amount of oil gets left behind in the reservoir after the application of primary and secondary recovery methods. Water flooding is the most widely used secondary recovery method because of its availability and low cost. However, this method leads to high water/oil mobility ratio leaving behind most of the oil in the reservoir. To overcome this effect, polymers are added which increases the water viscosity due to their high molecular weight. Polymer flooding reduces the mobility ratio leading to a greater oil recovery. In recent years, biopolymers have attracted the attention of petroleum industries. There are very few reports on the production of biopolymers from fungi and even fewer among them have been produced commercially. Schizophyllan produced by the fungus schizophyllum commune in presence of a carbon source (usually glucose) via submerged fermentation process, has attracted attention of researchers recently. This biopolymer is currently available as an expensive grade material, whereby limiting its applications in the industry. We hereby report a method for schizophyllan production using cheaply available sago starch as a carbon source. Physico-chemical characterization of schizophyllan was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy which showed characteristic spectral signature for the biopolymer. Using Thermo Gravimetric (TG) analysis, the biopolymer was observed to be thermally stable upto 125°C, showing potential applications in high temperature reservoir conditions. Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) revealed a high molecular weight of 14.73 million Dalton, while viscosity measurements show shear-thinning behaviour, desirable in polymer flooding applications. The obtained properties of the biopolymer, coupled with a cheap production process based on locally available carbon source, makes them ideal candidates for applications in polymer flooding for enhanced oil recovery

Adsorption of nonionic surfactants on clay minerals

The adsorption of surfactants from aqueous solutions in porous media is very significant in the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) of oil reservoirs. Surfactant loss due to adsorption on the reservoir rocks weakens the efficiency of the chemical solution injected to decrease the oil–water interfacial tension (IFT). This study investigated the effect of the mineralogical composition of adsorbents on adsorption. Nonionic surfactants were injected into sand packs in which different amounts of clay minerals (kaolinite and illite) were added and compacted in a sand pack holder. The amount of surfactant adsorbed was quantified by subtracting the concentration of surfactants after adsorption from the initial concentration. It was concluded that there is a relationship between the adsorption of nonionic surfactants and the amount of clay mineral in the adsorbents because the quantity of surfactant adsorbed by adsorbents increased when the percentage of clay mineral in the adsorbents increased (from 2 to 8% in the sand packs). The clay mineral illite has a stronger adsorption power for nonionic surfactants than does kaolinite.Radzuan Junin, Tahmineh Amirian, Ahmad Kamal Idri

Assessing the effects of nanoparticle type and concentration on the stability of CO2 foams and the performance in enhanced oil recovery

Utilizing nanoparticles (NPs) for stabilizing CO2-foams has recently become an interesting subject among petroleum engineers. It has been proven that silica (SiO2) NP is a good agent for stabilizing CO2-foams. Investigating the role of other types of NPs is ongoing and this research attempted to determine and compare the effects of three hydrophilic metal oxide NPs, namely aluminium oxide (Al2O3), titanium dioxide (TiO2), copper oxide (CuO) as well as the effect of SiO2 on the stability of CO2-foams. For this aim, the listed NPs in concentrations from 0.002 to 0.1 wt% were dispersed in de-ionized water to make suspensions. These suspensions were utilized in a chromatography column to produce foam. The stability of the generated NPs-CO2-foams was determined by measuring the half-life time. The results revealed that the highest stability of NPs-CO2-foams was reached at an optimum concentration of 0.008wt% for all NP types. Moreover, SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, and CuO NPs-CO2 foams half-life times were obtained 28.1, 24.6, 20.1, and 17.9\xA0min, respectively. In addition, the applicability of generated NPs-CO2 foams on oil displacement through quartz sand porous media was determined. The amounts of oil recoveries via SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, and CuO NPs-CO2 foams achieved were 71.7, 65.7, 58.2, and 57.3 respectively. Overall, it was found that stability of a NP-CO2-foam is strongly dependent on NP type and concentration, and NP stability against deposition in aqueous phase. Based on the findings, more oil recoveries can be achieved by more stable NP-CO2 foams

The utilization of Malaysian local bentonite as an extender and free water controller in oil-well cement technology

This paper presents the result of experimental studies for Malaysian bentonite from Sabah (Lahad Datu and Tawau areas) application in oil-well cementing as compared to world wide commercially used Wyoming bentonite of USA. Samples were dried, grounded and sieved into particle size of 75μm. The experiments include XRD & XRF techniques to determine the chemical compositions and mineralogical contentc of bentonite. Methylene blue tests were carried out to estimate the value of cation exchange capacity (CEC) in order to determine the approximate montmorillonite content. In the cement performance tests, class-G cement slurry mixed with bentonite in the range of 2%-6% BWOC. The cement slurries were tested in accordance of API Specification 10. Dry and wet treatment processes were also conducted for the Malaysian bentonite to upgrade its performance. From laboratory investigations, it showed that Malaysian bentonite has less content of montmorillonite mineral and more impurity materials such as quartz, kaolinite, illite, muscovite and hematite, while Wyoming bentonite considered as high-quality bentonite. Malaysian bentonite has low values of CEC which had been improved after treatment processes. Malaysian bentonite has low degree of swelling. The free water of the cement slurry increased with the increase of bentonite concentrations as compared to Wyoming bentonite. On the other hand, after treatment processes, the free water decreases in the cement slurry with bentonite concentrations increased. The Lahad Datu's bentonite had lowered slurry density after the treatments than the Tawau's bentonite