Rapid Screening Method to Assess Formation Damage During Injection of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Sandstone

Area of Science:

• Petroleum Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Nanoparticles offer unique properties for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), including formation characterization and conformance control.
• Magnetite (nMag), silica dioxide (SiO2), and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles are explored for EOR applications, but carry risks of formation damage.
• Particle deposition in porous media can lead to increased injection pressures and reduced permeability, hindering EOR efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a rapid screening method for evaluating nanoparticle formulations and their potential to cause formation damage.
• To assess the impact of salinity and nanoparticle concentration on particle deposition and retention in sandstone formations.
• To ensure the reliability of the screening method by comparing its results with traditional core-flood tests.

Main Methods:

• A novel screening apparatus was designed to test small sandstone discs or cores using minimal material.
• The apparatus accommodates both aqueous brine solutions and non-polar solvents as mobile phases.
• Image analysis and pressure measurements were employed to quantify nanoparticle deposition and formation plugging.

Main Results:

• Increased salinity (from 500 mg/L NaCl to API brine) led to higher magnetite nanoparticle deposition and face-caking.
• Elevated silica nanoparticle concentrations (1 to 10 wt%) in 500 mg/L NaCl caused a 55 psi back pressure increase and face-caking.
• Screening test results closely correlated with traditional core-flood tests, validating the method's accuracy.

Conclusions:

• The developed screening method provides a rapid and reliable assessment of nanoparticle formulations for EOR applications.
• The method effectively predicts nanoparticle transport and retention, crucial for mitigating formation damage.
• This technique aids in selecting optimal nanoparticle formulations, minimizing risks associated with EOR operations.