Enhanced oil recovery by ASP flooding using biopolymer-based nanoparticles: A case study on Langgak oilfield
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Throughout history, energy has been crucial for sustaining a decent standard of living, with oil being a predominant energy source for many years. A novel Alkaline-Surfactant-Polymer (ASP) flooding approach utilizing partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) combined with nano-sized natural polymer obtained from either cassava or purple yam starch was implemented to enhance oil recovery. An oil sample from Langgak oilfield in Sumatra, Indonesia, was provided for analysis and it was at solid state at normal temperature of 25 °C. Special surfactants provided by PT SPR Langgak, besides sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS), were tested to optimize the ASP configuration and find the best chemical slugs that can enhance oil recovery. Two alkalis, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), were incorporated into the ASP combination at certain concentrations. The optimal concentration of cassava nanoparticles (CSNPs) and purple yam nanoparticles (PYNPs) was determined through polymer rheology when these starches are mixed with HPAM at 2000 ppm concentration. The most effective surfactant combinations were identified through viscosity, surface tension, adsorption and fluid penetration. The concentrations of alkalis are validated through interfacial tension measurements for alkaline-surfactant mixtures. Afterwards, experiments of ASP flooding on Buff Berea core samples saturated with Langgak oil were conducted. It was found that the second-best formulation is identified from NaOH (1.28 wt.%), PSC HOMF (at 0.63 wt.%), and HPAM (2000 ppm) integrated with CSNPs (0.8 wt.%) has resulted in a 35% incremental oil recovery. Whereas, the first best formulation that is consisted from NaOH (1.28 wt.%), PSC EOR 2.2 (0.98 wt.%), and HPAM with PYNPs (0.6 wt.%) gained the highest incremental recovery of 39.17%. Both of these two formulations have the ability to lower the mobility ratio with the potential to revolutionize recovery in mature oilfields. These findings demonstrate the superior performance of the PYNP–polymer blend under reservoir conditions of 60 °C and low salinity (100 ppm), highlighting the promising role of bio-nanoparticles in ASP flooding.
Source: Results in Engineering
Authors: Hasanain A. Al-Jaber, Agus Arsad, Akhmal Sidek
Institution: University of Technology Malaysia
Language: English
Subfield: Fuel Technology
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,940
OpenAlex ID: W4412061978