Enhanced carbon utilization and storage: An application of nonionic-based binary surfactant CO₂ foam

Area of Science:

• Geosciences
• Chemical Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering

Background:

• Effective subsurface utilization and sequestration of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) are crucial for a zero-carbon economy.
• Mobility control of injected CO2 is key to enhancing oil recovery and CO2 storage efficiency in depleted formations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel techniques for improving geological CO2 storage and co-optimizing carbon utilization and storage efficiency.
• To evaluate the impact of CO2 foam generated with a nonionic-based binary surfactant system in high salinity carbonate porous media.

Main Methods:

• Utilized carbonate core samples from a producing oil field as porous media.
• Evaluated oil production and CO2 storage with varying injectants, focusing on CO2 foam injection.
• Employed a nonionic-based binary surfactant system as a foaming agent.

Main Results:

• Foam injection as a mobility control fluid increased the CO2 retention factor by 4.6 times.
• The nonionic-based binary surfactant system further enhanced the CO2 retention factor to 5.6 times.
• Achieved an 85% increase in oil recovery.

Conclusions:

• Surfactant foams effectively control injected gas mobility, enhancing CO2 retention in carbonate porous media.
• Nonionic-based binary surfactant systems are effective foaming agents for co-optimizing carbon utilization and storage in depleted oil formations.