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Alkyl polyglycoside surfactant-alcohol cosolvent formulations for improved oil recovery

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Authors
Iglauer, Stefan
Wu, Y.
Shuler, P.
Tang, Y.
Goddard, W.
Date
2009
Type
Journal Article

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Iglauer, Stefan and Wu, Yongfu and Shuler, Patrick and Tang, Yongchun and Goddard III, William A. 2009. Alkyl polyglycoside surfactant-alcohol cosolvent formulations for improved oil recovery. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physiochemical and Engineering Aspects. 339 (1-3): pp. 48-59.
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Colloids and Surfaces A - Physiochemical and Engineering Aspects
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Department of Petroleum Engineering
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Abstract

We examine here the suitability of alkyl polyglycosides (APG) for improved oil recovery (IOR) applications. In recent years, these nonionic carbohydrate-based surfactants have become a significant commercial product (80,000 tons/year) with widespread use in household and agricultural products. Our laboratory study determined several characteristics of common APG surfactant formulations, in particular their capability to create low interfacial tensions (IFT) with n-alkane hydrocarbons. Our formulations included a wide range of alcohol cosurfactants with APG surfactants. We found APG–cosurfactant combinations that exhibit low IFT values of 0.01 mN/m or less versus n-octane. Our laboratory tests confirmed these APG formulations can provide useful IFT properties that are largely independent of both salinity and temperature. We report a coreflood test conducted on a Berea sandstone core using a selected formulation that exhibits oil recovery as high as 85% IOIP.