Oil Recovery with Multiple Micellar Slugs

Chapter 18
Oil Recovery with Multiple Micellar Slugs

1 2 1
S. Thomas, S. B. Supon, and S. M . Farouq Ali
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1Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineering, The

University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G6, Canada
Publication Date: July 10, 1989 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1989-0396.ch018
2
Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Pennsylvania State University,
University Park, PA 16802
Micellar flooding process has been shown to be

an effective tertiary o i l recovery technique
for watered-out light o i l reservoirs, based
upon many f i e l d tests. However, under the
present o i l prices i t has not been economic in
most cases. In other instances, recovery
methods such as carbon dioxide flooding may be
more attractive. The present research was
aimed at improving the efficiency of the
micellar flooding process through the use of
multiple micellar slugs. The slugs were
selected on the basis of the phase behaviour
of various ternary systems (crude, water,
surfactant). Equilibrium micellar phases
chosen from the single phase region or,
micellar compositions formed along the
dilution path of a suitable micellar slug in
the single phase region were used to form the
composite slugs. O i l - r i c h and water-rich
slugs were compared for their effectiveness to
recover tertiary oil. Multiplicity of slugs
on recovery efficiency was examined by
injecting portions of o i l - r i c h and water-rich
slugs alternately until the desired slug
volume was reached. The use of graded
composite slugs - starting with an o i l - r i c h
slug and ending with a water-rich slug - was
successful in improving process efficiency.
(Process efficiency, in this work, is defined
as the tertiary recovery per unit volume of
slug injected). For example, process
efficiency increased five fold when a single
slug was replaced by a graded composite slug
of equivalent size.
0097-6156/89/0396-0345$06.00/0
e 1989 American Chemical Society
In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1989.
346 OIL-FIELD CHEMISTRY
The works o f v a r i o u s i n v e s t i g a t o r s s u c h as G o g a r t y and

T o s c h (1), H e a l y and Reed ( 2 ) , and D a v i s and Jones Q),
have shown t h a t t h e m i c e l l a r f l o o d i n g p r o c e s s can be u s e d
e f f e c t i v e l y t o m o b i l i z e r e s i d u a l o i l i n watered-out l i g h t
o i l reservoirs. Many f i e l d t e s t s c o n d u c t e d i n t h e U.S.
have f u r t h e r p r o v e d i t s e f f e c t i v e n e s s . However, t h e
economics of the p r o c e s s remain u n a t t r a c t i v e f o r
implementing the process f o r t e r t i a r y o i l recovery.
Recent works by Holm ( A ) , Pope (H), Sayyouh and F a r o u q
A l i (£), Enedy and F a r o u q A l i (2) made s i g n i f i c a n t
c o n t r i b u t i o n s towards i m p r o v i n g t h e e f f i c i e n c y o f t h e
process. The p r i m a r y o b j e c t i v e o f t h i s r e s e a r c h was t o
devise a m i c e l l a r flooding process that i s economically
as w e l l as t e c h n i c a l l y a t t r a c t i v e t o t h e i n d u s t r y ,
t h r o u g h t h e use o f m u l t i p l e m i c e l l a r s l u g s .
Process Description
P r o c e s s e f f i c i e n c y , i n t h i s s t u d y , i s d e f i n e d as t h e
t e r t i a r y o i l r e c o v e r y p e r u n i t volume o f t h e s l u g
injected. T h i s r e f e r s t o t h e e f f i c i e n c y o f an o i l - r i c h
slug. Economic r e c o v e r y e f f i c i e n c y v a r i e s from s l u g t o
s l u g due t o v a r i a t i o n s i n t h e s u r f a c t a n t c o n t e n t . It
s h o u l d be n o t e d t h a t t h e m i c e l l a r s l u g s were f o r m u l a t e d
w i t h an e f f o r t t o keep t h e c o s t a minimum.
Basic Process. H y d r o c a r b o n , w a t e r / b r i n e and surfactant

a r e t h e b a s i c components o f a m i c e l l a r s o l u t i o n . A small
amount o f a l c o h o l i s u s u a l l y added t o improve t h e
s o l u t i o n s t a b i l i t y , t o a d j u s t t h e v i s c o s i t y , and t o
r e d u c e t h e s u r f a c t a n t l o s s due t o a d s o r p t i o n on t h e
r e s e r v o i r rock. A s u i t a b l y formulated m i c e l l a r slug
m i s c i b l y d i s p l a c e s the r e s i d u a l o i l , l e a d i n g t o a very
small f i n a l o i l saturation. F o r economic r e a s o n s , a
s m a l l p o r e volume (2-5%) m i c e l l a r s l u g i s i n j e c t e d , and
i t i s e f f e c t i v e l y p r o p a g a t e d t h r o u g h t h e r e s e r v o i r by t h e
mobility buffer. The m o b i l i t y b u f f e r p r o t e c t s t h e s l u g
f r o m d i l u t i o n by t h e d r i v e water t o o e a r l y i n t h e
process. The e f f i c i e n c y o f t h e p r o c e s s can be augmented
by u s i n g a s u i t a b l e c o m p o s i t e s l u g c o n f i g u r a t i o n . A
c o m p o s i t e s l u g c o n s i s t s o f o i l - r i c h and w a t e r - r i c h slugs,
i n j e c t e d a l t e r n a t e l y i n two o r more s t e p s , u n t i l t h e
d e s i r e d p o r e volume i s r e a c h e d . The economics o f t h e
p r o c e s s can be f u r t h e r enhanced by u s i n g a g r a d e d
composite s l u g . Such s l u g s can r e d u c e the s u r f a c t a n t
r e q u i r e m e n t t o a minimum, and maximize t h e t e r t i a r y
recovery e f f i c i e n c y .
Phase B e h a v i o u r S t u d i e s and Slug Formulation
The e f f i c i e n c y o f a m i c e l l a r s l u g t o r e c o v e r t e r t i a r y o i l
i s l a r g e l y dependent on i t s a b i l i t y t o r e m a i n a s i n g l e
phase d u r i n g t h e f l o o d i n g p r o c e s s so t h a t t h e o i l may be
d i s p l a c e d " m i s c i b l y " and hence, c o m p l e t e l y . However,

347
18. THOMAS ETAL. Multiple Micellar Slugs
v a r i o u s f a c t o r s such as s l u g d i l u t i o n by r e s e r v o i r
f l u i d s , s u r f a c t a n t l o s s t o t h e r e s e r v o i r rock, r e s e r v o i r
s a l i n i t y e t c . i n f l u e n c e t h e phase b e h a v i o u r a d v e r s e l y .
Once s l u g breakdown o c c u r s , t h e d i s p l a c e m e n t becomes
i m m i s c i b l e a n d some o f t h e r e s i d e n t o i l c a n be l e f t
trapped i n the pores. T e r t i a r y r e c o v e r y c a n be
s u b s t a n t i a l l y improved i f t h e s l u g c o m p o s i t i o n h a s a
minimal multiphase r e g i o n t o p r o l o n g the m i s c i b l e
d i s p l a c e m e n t regime, and a low i n t e r f a c i a l t e n s i o n i n t h e
m u l t i p h a s e r e g i o n t o enhance t h e i m m i s c i b l e d i s p l a c e m e n t .
Another f a c t o r c o n t r i b u t i n g t o o i l displacement i s t h e
r e l a t i v e l y l a r g e r o l e i c phase volume a t s l u g breakdown.
W i t h t h e s e ends i n view, a number o f phase b e h a v i o u r
s t u d i e s were made t o f o r m u l a t e e f f i c i e n t m i c e l l a r s l u g s
f o r t h e t e r t i a r y r e c o v e r y o f t h r e e l i g h t o i l s - Bonnie
G l e n , P r o v o s t , and B r a d f o r d c r u d e s .
Phase B e h a v i o u r C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . Studies of ternary

systems, r e p r e s e n t i n g c r u d e o i l , w a t e r / b r i n e a n d
s u r f a c t a n t systems were c o m p l e t e d p r i o r t o t h e s e l e c t i o n
of m i c e l l a r s l u g s . The b r i n e u s e d i n t h i s s t u d y was
2 % ( w t . / v o l . ) sodium c h l o r i d e i n d i s t i l l e d w a t e r . I t was
f o u n d t h a t t h e phase b o u n d a r i e s depend, t o a g r e a t
e x t e n t , on t h e w a t e r / o i l r a t i o i n t h e i n i t i a l system.
Because o f t h e multicomponent n a t u r e o f t h e m i c e l l a r
s o l u t i o n s , t h e phase b e h a v i o u r o f t h e system i s much more
complex t h a n a s i m p l e t h r e e component system. Therefore,
a p s e u d o t e r n a r y system c o u l d o n l y be u s e d t o
q u a l i t a t i v e l y c o r r e l a t e t h e o b s e r v a t i o n s on t h e phase
behaviour o f the m i c e l l a r s o l u t i o n s . Due t o economic
reasons and v i s c o s i t y requirements, t h e s u r f a c t a n t and
o i l c o n c e n t r a t i o n s were l i m i t e d t o 5-15% a n d <50%,
respectively. The t y p e a n d amount o f a l c o h o l u s e d were
d e t e r m i n e d by t r i a l a n d e r r o r t o o b t a i n adequate
v i s c o s i t y c o n t r o l and s o l u t i o n s t a b i l i t y . Having
determined the general area o f composition f o r a s u i t a b l e
m i c e l l a r s o l u t i o n , s e v e r a l s o l u t i o n s were p r e p a r e d a t a
g i v e n w a t e r / o i l r a t i o and v a r y i n g s u r f a c t a n t
c o n c e n t r a t i o n s ( 1 - 1 5 % ) . When more t h a n one s u r f a c t a n t
were used, t h e y were b l e n d e d t o g e t h e r i n a known
p r o p o r t i o n and t r e a t e d as a s i n g l e component i n t h e
t e r n a r y system. The s o l u t i o n s were p r e p a r e d by
d i s p e r s i n g the s u r f a c t a n t / c o s u r f a c t a n t mixture i n the
h y d r o c a r b o n phase and g r a d u a l l y a d d i n g t h e aqueous phase
w h i l e m a i n t a i n i n g moderate a g i t a t i o n w i t h a m a g n e t i c
s t i r r e r , u n t i l t h e s o l u t i o n was homogeneous (~5-10 m i n . ) .
The s o l u t i o n s were a l l o w e d t o e q u i l i b r a t e i n g r a d u a t e d
c y l i n d e r s f o r 2-4 weeks a t t h e d e s i r e d t e m p e r a t u r e . The
phase volumes were measured and t h e t y p e o f s o l u t i o n
(Type I I - , Type 11+ o r Type I I I ) was d e t e r m i n e d w i t h t h e
h e l p o f IR ( i n f r a r e d ) a n a l y s i s f o r s u l f o n a t e c o n t e n t .
The c o m p o s i t i o n p o i n t s , t h e t i e - l i n e s and t h e phase
e n v e l o p e showing t h e m u l t i p h a s e r e g i o n s were t h e n p l o t t e d
on t h e t e r n a r y d i a g r a m . M i c e l l a r s o l u t i o n s were s e l e c t e d
American Chemical Society

Library
1155 15th St., M.W.
Washington.
ACS Symposium Series; American D.C*
Chemical 20036
Society: Washington, DC, 1989.
on t h e b a s i s o f t h e i r a b i l i t y t o s o l u b i l i z e b r i n e a n d
o i l , as w e l l as t h e c o m p a t i b i l i t y with polymer.
M u l t i p l e M i c e l l a r Slugs
The e f f i c i e n c y o f t h e d i s p l a c e m e n t p r o c e s s c a n be f u r t h e r
i m p r o v e d by u s i n g a m u l t i p l e m i c e l l a r s l u g - a
combination o f o i l - r i c h and w a t e r - r i c h s l u g s - i n s t e a d o f
a conventional single slug. In t h i s method, a s l u g t h a t
i s more c o m p a t i b l e w i t h o i l ( o i l - r i c h ) i s f o l l o w e d by a
s l u g t h a t i s more c o m p a t i b l e w i t h w a t e r ( w a t e r - r i c h ) .
These s l u g s may be d i v i d e d i n t o p o r t i o n s a n d i n j e c t e d
a l t e r n a t e l y i n s e v e r a l s t e p s as a 'composite m i c e l l a r
slug . 1
F o r example, a 5% pv c o m p o s i t e s l u g i n j e c t e d i n
t h r e e s t e p s c a n be t h o u g h t o f as ( 5 / 3 ) % p v o i l - r i c h s l u g
f o l l o w e d by ( 5 / 3 ) % pv w a t e r - r i c h s l u g f o l l o w e d a g a i n by
(5/3)% p v o f t h e o i l - r i c h s l u g . The c h o i c e o f t h e
component s l u g s i s b a s e d on t h e e q u i l i b r i u m m i c e l l a r
p h a s e s d e t e r m i n e d from t h e phase d i a g r a m . Such a
c o m b i n a t i o n enhances t h e s t a b i l i t y , a n d t h e r e f o r e , t h e
performance o f t h e m i c e l l a r slugs i n r e c o v e r i n g t h e
tertiary oil. Another approach t o p r o l o n g t h e i n t e g r i t y
o f t h e m i c e l l a r s l u g i s t o u s e a 'graded c o m p o s i t e s l u g ' .
Here, t h e component s l u g s a r e i n j e c t e d s u c h t h a t a
g r a d a t i o n i s formed w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e o i l and/or t h e
surfactant concentration of the individual slugs, i . e .
t h e g r a d i n g s t a r t s w i t h o i l - r i c h s l u g and ends w i t h
water-rich slug. C o m p o s i t i o n s t h a t f a l l on t h e same
d i l u t i o n p a t h i n t h e phase d i a g r a m a r e i n e q u i l i b r i u m
w i t h e a c h o t h e r and hence, have f a v o u r a b l e phase
behaviour. T h i s h e l p s t o d e l a y t h e s l u g breakdown a n d
t h u s , improve t h e d i s p l a c e m e n t efficiency.
Objectives
The p r i m a r y o b j e c t i v e s o f t h i s r e s e a r c h were :
1. Formulate e f f i c i e n t m i c e l l a r slugs f o r t h e t e r t i a r y
r e c o v e r y o f t h r e e l i g h t o i l s v i z . B r a d f o r d crude,
Bonnie Glen crude, and Provost crude;
2. Improve t h e e f f i c i e n c y o f t h e m i c e l l a r f l o o d i n g
process through t h e use o f m u l t i p l e m i c e l l a r s l u g s ;
3. D e v i s e methods t o r e d u c e t h e economic d i s a d v a n t a g e s
i n h e r e n t i n t h e p r o c e s s by s u i t a b l e s e l e c t i o n o f
s l u g t y p e , s i z e and c o m b i n a t i o n , such a s
s u b s t i t u t i n g a s i n g l e s l u g with a graded composite
slug of equivalent size.
Experimental P r o c e d u r e and A p p a r a t u s
Apparatus. A c o n s t a n t r a t e d i s p l a c e m e n t pump c h a r g e d
w i t h m e r c u r y was used t o d i s p l a c e t h e f l u i d o f i n t e r e s t
from s t e e l c y l i n d e r s t o t h e core. A pressure transducer
connected t o t h e chart r e c o r d e r p r o v i d e d the p r e s s u r e
h i s t o r y o f e a c h c o r e f l o o d . An a u t o m a t i c s a m p l e r w i t h

18. THOMAS ETAL. Multiple Micellar Slugs 349
t i m e r was u s e d t o c o l l e c t t h e e f f l u e n t Schematic of the

e x p e r i m e n t a l s e t up i s shown i n F i g u r e 1.
Procedure. C o r e f l o o d s were c a r r i e d out i n h o r i z o n t a l l y

mounted B e r e a s a n d s t o n e c o r e s o f l e n g t h 61 cm and
d i a m e t e r 5 cm. P o r o s i t y v a r i e d from 18 t o 25% and b r i n e
p e r m e a b i l i t y f r o m 100 t o 800 . The c o r e s were c o a t e d
w i t h a t h i n l a y e r o f epoxy and c a s t i n s t a i n l e s s s t e e l
core h o l d e r s u s i n g molten Cerrobend a l l o y (melting p o i n t
70°C). The ends o f t h e c o r e s were machined f l u s h w i t h
t h e c o r e h o l d e r and f l a n g e s were b o l t e d on. P o r e volume
was d e t e r m i n e d by vacuum f o l l o w e d by i m b i b i t i o n o f b r i n e .
A b s o l u t e p e r m e a b i l i t y and p o r o s i t y were d e t e r m i n e d . The
c o r e s were i n i t i a l l y s a t u r a t e d w i t h b r i n e (2% N a C l ) . An
o i l f l o o d was t h e n s t a r t e d a t a r a t e o f lOm/day u n t i l an
i r r e d u c i b l e water s a t u r a t i o n (26-38%) was e s t a b l i s h e d .
The c o r e s were t h e n w a t e r f l o o d e d w i t h b r i n e (2% NaCl) t o

obtain residual o i l saturation.
A m i c e l l a r f l o o d was t h e n s t a r t e d w i t h t h e
i n j e c t i o n o f t h e m i c e l l a r s l u g , p o l y m e r b u f f e r , and t h e
d r i v e w a t e r i n s u c c e s s i o n , a t a r a t e o f 1.3 m/day. Two
t y p e s o f p o l y m e r s - p o l y a c r y l a m i d e p o l y m e r (Dow P u s h e r
700) and Xanthan Gum p o l y m e r ( K e l z a n XC) - were u s e d as
t h e p o l y m e r b u f f e r s . Sodium c h l o r i d e b r i n e (1%) was u s e d
as t h e d r i v e w a t e r . E f f l u e n t was c o l l e c t e d and a n a l y z e d
f o r s u r f a c t a n t c o n t e n t u s i n g t h e IR and UV t e c h n i q u e s .
A l l e x p e r i m e n t s were c o n d u c t e d a t room t e m p e r a t u r e (22-
24°C).
A n a l y s i s of the Produced Fluids
The o i l phase o f t h e e f f l u e n t was a n a l y z e d u s i n g t h e IR

method f o r s u l f o n a t e c o n t e n t . P e t r o s t e p B100 and
P e t r o s t e p B110 a b s o r b IR r a d i a t i o n a t 1008 cm-1 and 117 6
cm-1 r e s p e c t i v e l y . In t h e case o f s l u g L I , i t i s assumed
t h a t t h e p r o p o r t i o n o f s u l f o n a t e s (a b l e n d o f P e t r o s t e p
B100 and P e t r o s t e p B110) i s i d e n t i c a l i n t h e i n j e c t e d and
the produced f l u i d s . ) The s u r f a c t a n t c o n t e n t o f e a c h
sample and t h e t o t a l amount o f s u l f o n a t e p r o d u c e d were
t h e n c a l c u l a t e d . S u l f o n a t e p r o d u c e d i n t h e aqueous phase
was d e t e r m i n e d u s i n g t h e UV method. A b s o r b a n c e was
measured a t 206 nm u s i n g 10 mm c o u v e t t e s . I t was found
t h a t t h e b u l k o f t h e s u l f o n a t e r e c o v e r e d was i n t h e o l e i c
phase o f t h e e f f l u e n t . F i v e to ten percent of the t o t a l
s u l f o n a t e i n j e c t e d went i n t o t h e aqueous p h a s e . The l o s s
o f s u r f a c t a n t i s c a l c u l a t e d as m i l l i e q u i v a l e n t s p e r 100
gram r o c k .
Accuracy. A l l f l u i d s p r o p e r t i e s measured were w i t h i n

±1%. The volumes i n j e c t e d and p r o d u c e d were i n agreement
w i t h i n ±0.1%. The r e p r o d u c i b i l i t y o f t h e c o r e f l o o d s was
between 0.002-8%.

Crude O i l s and Connate Water. The m u l t i p l e m i c e l l a r s l u g

p r o c e s s was d e v e l o p e d f o r t h e t e r t i a r y r e c o v e r y o f t h r e e
l i g h t o i l s v i z . B r a d f o r d c r u d e , Bonnie G l e n c r u d e and
Provost crude. The v i s c o s i t i e s and d e n s i t i e s o f t h e
t h r e e crude o i l s used a r e l i s t e d i n Table I.
Table I. Viscosities and D e n s i t i e s o f Crude Oils
Crude O i l Viscosity, mPa.s D e n s i t y , g/ml

Bonnie Glen 5 0.836
Bradford 5 0.817
ProvQSt 11 0.966
A 2% (w/v) sodium c h l o r i d e s o l u t i o n was u s e d as t h e

c o n n a t e w a t e r i n a l l c o r e f l o o d s . I t s h o u l d be m e n t i o n e d
that i t i s desirable to incorporate divalent cations,
+ + + +
s u c h as C a and M g , i n t h e s l u g f o r m u l a t i o n s as w e l l
as i n t h e c o n n a t e water t o s i m u l a t e an a c t u a l r e s e r v o i r .
Micellar Solutions
M i c e l l a r s l u g B4 was f o r m u l a t e d f o r t h e t e r t i a r y r e c o v e r y
of Bonnie Glen crude. F i g u r e 2 shows t h e t e r n a r y
d i a g r a m f o r t h i s c r u d e o i l , d i s t i l l e d water, and
s u r f a c t a n t system. S o l u t i o n s a, b, c, and d separated
i n t o o i l - r i c h and w a t e r - r i c h m i c r o e m u l s i o n s i n
e q u i l i b r i u m w i t h each o t h e r . F o r example, s o l u t i o n a
1
e q u i l i b r a t e d i n t o a w a t e r - r i c h microemulsion a and an
, f
o i l - r i c h microemulsion a . Similarly, solutions b, c,
, f 1 , f
and d e q u i l i b r a t e d t o form b', b ; c , c ; and d', d''
respectively. The t i e l i n e s shown c o n n e c t t h e s o l u t i o n s
in equilibrium. Point P r e f e r s t o the p l a i t point,
where t h e o i l - r i c h and w a t e r - r i c h s o l u t i o n s become
m i s c i b l e and hence, a s i n g l e p h a s e . M i c e l l a r s o l u t i o n B4
l i e s i n t h e s i n g l e phase r e g i o n , j u s t o u t s i d e t h e b i n o d a l
curve. S o l u t i o n B4 was d i l u t e d w i t h d i s t i l l e d w a t e r once
t o form s o l u t i o n B4W and, t w i c e t o form s o l u t i o n B4X.
S o l u t i o n s B4, B4W, and B4X were u s e d i n c o m b i n a t i o n t o
form t h e composite s l u g f o r the r e c o v e r y o f Bonnie Glen
crude.
M i c e l l a r s l u g L I was f o r m u l a t e d f o r t h e r e c o v e r y o f
the Provost crude. F i g u r e 3 shows t h e t e r n a r y phase
b e h a v i o u r d i a g r a m f o r t h i s c r u d e , d i s t i l l e d water and
s u r f a c t a n t system. P e t r o l e u m s u l f o n a t e s P e t r o s t e p B100
and P e t r o s t e p B110 were t h e s u r f a c t a n t s u s e d i n t h e s e
micellar solutions. S o l u t i o n s A, B, C, and D s e p a r a t e d
i n t o w a t e r - r i c h microemulsions i n e q u i l i b r i u m with excess
oil. M i c e l l a r s o l u t i o n L I l i e s i n t h e s i n g l e phase
region. S o l u t i o n s L1W1 and L1W2 were formed by d i l u t i n g
s o l u t i o n LI w i t h d i s t i l l e d water. When s o l u t i o n s L1W1
and L1W2 were a l l o w e d t o e q u i l i b r a t e , t h e y s e p a r a t e d i n t o
two p h a s e s , t h e c o m p o s i t i o n s o f which a r e g i v e n by t h e

7 s Pressure
Gauge
Transducer |
Mercury Displacement Chart

Drain Pump Recorder
Figure 1. S c h e m a t i c o f Core F l o o d i n g Apparatus
F i g u r e 2. Phase B e h a v i o u r o r B o n n i e G l e n Crude,
D i s t i l l e d Water, and S u r f a c t a n t System

ends o f t h e t i e l i n e s p a s s i n g t h r o u g h t h e o v e r a l l
composition p o i n t s .
M i c e l l a r s l u g s f o r t h e r e c o v e r y o f B r a d f o r d crude
were f o r m u l a t e d u s i n g a d i f f e r e n t a p p r o a c h . Upon t h e
c o m p l e t i o n o f t h e phase diagram, e q u i l i b r i u m m i c e l l a r
p h a s e s l y i n g a l o n g t h e b i n o d a l c u r v e were c h o s e n as t h e
o i l - r i c h and w a t e r - r i c h s o l u t i o n s . These s o l u t i o n s have
s i m i l a r s u r f a c t a n t / c o s u r f a c t a n t c o n c e n t r a t i o n , but d i f f e r
in oil/brine ratios. F i g u r e s 4 and 5 show t h e t e r n a r y
phase b e h a v i o u r diagrams f o r t h e s e s y s t e m s . Since the
s o l u t i o n s l i e a l o n g t h e same t i e l i n e , t h e y a r e i n
e q u i l i b r i u m w i t h e a c h o t h e r , b u t have o p p o s i n g a f f i n i t i e s
f o r o i l and b r i n e . Two o i l - r i c h s l u g s were f o r m u l a t e d ,
u s i n g two d i f f e r e n t s u r f a c t a n t s , f o r t h e t e r t i a r y
r e c o v e r y o f B r a d f o r d c r u d e were PI and T l . The
c o r r e s p o n d i n g w a t e r - r i c h s l u g s were P2 and T2. Penn

S t a t e s u r f a c t a n t s PRL-5A and TRS-10B were used i n these
slugs. T a b l e I I shows t h e c o m p o s i t i o n and v i s c o s i t i e s o f

the v a r i o u s m i c e l l a r s l u g s .
Polymers
The s u c c e s s o f t h e m i c e l l a r f l o o d i n g p r o c e s s f o r
recovering t e r t i a r y o i l i s l a r g e l y dependent on t h e
m o b i l i t y b u f f e r which s e r v e s t o d e l a y v i s c o u s f i n g e r i n g
o f t h e d r i v e w a t e r i n t o t h e s l u g and hence, i t s d i l u t i o n .
S o l u t i o n s o f p o l y a c r y l a m i d e p o l y m e r and Xanthan gum
p o l y m e r were u s e d as m o b i l i t y c o n t r o l l i n g a g e n t s i n t h e s e
experiments. C h o i c e o f t h e t y p e and c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f t h e
p o l y m e r i s made d e p e n d i n g on t h e e x t e n t t o w h i c h i t i s
d e g r a d e d by b r i n e and t h e r o c k m i n e r a l s , r e s i s t a n c e
f a c t o r o f the polymer s o l u t i o n , m i c e l l a r - p o l y m e r
i n t e r a c t i o n and t h e t h e r m a l s t a b i l i t y o f t h e p o l y m e r
solution. I t was f o u n d t h a t p o l y m e r d e g r a d a t i o n by t h e
s l u g i s d i r e c t l y dependent on t h e s u r f a c t a n t
concentration of the slug. The p r e s e n c e o f a l c o h o l i n
t h e s l u g improves t h e m i c e l l a r - p o l y m e r c o m p a t i b i l i t y .
P o l y m e r d e g r a d a t i o n by b r i n e i s d e t e r m i n e d by t h e i o n i c
s t r e n g t h o f t h e b r i n e . D i v a l e n t c a t i o n s have g r a t e r
e f f e c t i n r e d u c i n g t h e p o l y m e r v i s c o s i t y t h a n monovalent
cations.
Discussion of Results
Single Slugs. Minimum s l u g s i z e r e q u i r e d f o r t h e

e f f i c i e n t r e c o v e r y o f t h e t e r t i a r y c r u d e was d e t e r m i n e d
by c a r r y i n g o u t a s e r i e s o f s i n g l e s l u g r u n s . The s l u g
s i z e s v a r i e d f r o m 2-15% pv. T a b l e I I I shows t h e r e s u l t s
f o r a s i n g l e m i c e l l a r s l u g d r i v e n by 500 ppm p o l y m e r
s o l u t i o n f o r t h r e e crude o i l s .

Petrostep 465
+
Cosurfactants
Distilled Provost
Water Crude
F i g u r e 3. Phase B e h a v i o u r o f P r o v o s t Crude, Distilled
Water and S u r f a c t a n t System
PRL-5 A Sulfonate
+
Cosurfactant
O Water-rich Solution
• Oil-rich Solution
2 Phase
Brine Bradford
Crude
F i g u r e 4. Phase B e h a v i o u r o f B r a d f o r d Crude, Brine,
and S u r f a c t a n t (PRL-5A) System

Table I I . Composition and V i s c o s i t i e s of Micellar Slugs
Components Composition, % vol. C o m p o s i t i o n r *; w
B4 B4W B4X LI L1W1 L1W2 PI P2 Tl T2
Crude o i l * 39. 00 19,.50 9..75 30. 05 15,.00 7,.50 63. 50 5 .50 85.00 2. 00
D i s t i l l e d water 50. 00 75..00 87,.50 60. 09 80,.00 90,.00
B r i n e (2% w/v NaCl) 20. 10 84 .00 5.00 92. 50
P e t r o s t e p 465 9. 00 4,.50 2..25
P e t r o s t e p B110 5. 54 2..81 1..40
P e t r o s t e p B100 3. 07 1..56 0..78
PRL-5 11. 99 7 .63
TRS-10 8.01 4. 00
IPA 1. 50 0..75 0..38 1. 25 0..63 0..32
NBA 0. 50 0..25 0,.13
Isoamyl A l c o h o l 4 .51 2 .87
Cyclohexanol 1.49 1. 00

Viscosity, m.Pa.s 45. 50 2,.50 1..50 17. 74 2..40 1..60 10. 00 8 .70 1.50 21. 20
* B4, B4W, B4X : B o n n i e G l e n crude

L I , L1W1, L1W2 : P r o v o s t c r u d e
PI, P2, T l , T2 : B r a d f o r d crude
Table III. T e r t i a r y Recovery with Single M i c e l l a r Slugs
Crude O i l S l u g Type Slug Size T e r t i a r y Recovery

% P v % o i l i n Dlace
Bonnie Glen B4 ( o i l - r i c h ) 2 .0 16. ,9
5 .0 61. ,4
6 .0 73. ,6
10..0 79. ,0
15 .0 82. .4
Provost Crude LI ( o i l - r i c h ) 2 .0 64. .0

5..0 73. .4
Bradford Crude PI(oil-rich) 2 .5 24. .4
5 .0 27. .3
10 .0 36. .7,
41. .2
P2(water-rich) 2 .5 3..7
5 .0 16. .5
10 .0 44. .3
Tl(oil-rich) 2 .5 19. . 9
5 .0 23. . 6
10 .0 47. .5
T2(water-rich) 2 .5 7.. 1
5 .0 15. .7
10 .0 30. ,9
The r e s u l t s show t h a t t h e l a r g e s t i n c r e m e n t i n
t e r t i a r y r e c o v e r y o c c u r s a r o u n d a m i c e l l a r s l u g s i z e 5%
pv f o r a l l t h e s l u g s u s e d . F i g u r e 6 shows t h e r e s u l t s
f o r Bonnie Glen crude o i l , i n d i c a t i n g t h a t t h e r e l a t i v e
i n c r e a s e i n t e r t i a r y r e c o v e r y r e a c h e s a maximum a t s l u g
s i z e s between 4 and 8% pv. F u r t h e r i n c r e a s e i n s l u g s i z e
g i v e s o n l y m i n i m a l i n c r e m e n t i n t e r t i a r y r e c o v e r y and,
g r e a t e l y reduces the c o s t - e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f t h e s l u g .
P r o c e s s e f f i c i e n c y p e a k e d a t 5% pv s l u g s i z e f o r m i c e l l a r
s l u g B4 i n t h e c a s e o f B o n n i e G l e n c r u d e o i l . This i s
shown i n F i g u r e 7. T e r t i a r y r e c o v e r y o f B r a d f o r d c r u d e
u s i n g s i n g l e and c o m p o s i t e s l u g s o f v a r i o u s s i z e s i s
shown i n F i g u r e 8.
Composite S l u g s . A s i n g l e m i c e l l a r s l u g was r e p l a c e d by
an e q u i v a l e n t volume o f c o m p o s i t e s l u g s t o examine t h e
e f f e c t o f c o m p o s i t e s l u g s on t e r t i a r y r e c o v e r y . An o i l -
r i c h s l u g was f o l l o w e d by a w a t e r - r i c h s l u g i n a 50:50
volume r a t i o . S e l e c t e d r e s u l t s a r e shown i n T a b l e IV.
S l u g c o m p o s i t i o n s T l , T2 and B4 and B4W a r e g i v e n i n
T a b l e I I and shown i n F i g u r e s 2, 3, 4 and 5 , r e s p e c t i v e l y .
The r e s u l t s show t h a t f o r a g i v e n s l u g s i z e , a
c o m p o s i t e s l u g r e c o v e r e d more c r u d e t h a n a s i n g l e s l u g o f
equivalent size.

TRS-10B Sulfonate
+
Cosurfactant
Brine Bradford
Crude
F i g u r e 5. Phase B e h a v i o u r o f B r a d f o r d Crude, Brine,
and S u r f a c t a n t (TRS-10B) System
100
0« 1 1 1 1 1
0 4 8 12 16 20
Miscellar Slug Size, % PV
F i g u r e 6. Effect of Micellar Slug S i z e on T e r t i a r y
Recovery

CO
£
or
4 8 12 16 20
Miscellar Slug Size, % PV
F i g u r e 7. E f f e c t o f M i c e l l a r S l u g S i z e on t h e O i l
R e c o v e r y E f f i c i e n c y o f M i c e l l a r S l u g B4
i I
LEGEND
• Water-Rich P R L - 5 A * 30-70 Composite
• Oil-Rich P R L - 5 A * 70-30 Composite
O Water-Rich T R S - 1 0 B + 70-30 Composite
O Oil-Rich T R S - 1 0 B (No Polymer Buffer Zone)
a 5-5C Composite * 25-25-::::-25 C miposite
Slug Size (% PV)
F i g u r e 8. T e r t i a r y R e c o v e r y o f B r a d f o r d Crude Using
O i l - R i c h , W a t e r - R i c h a n d Composite S l u g s
Table IV. T e r t i a r y R e c o v e r y U s i n g P a i r e d ( O i l - R i c h and

Water-Rich) M i c e l l a r Slugs
Micellar Total Slug T e r t i a r v Recoverv. % o i l i n p l a c e

Slug Size, % pv Single Slug Composite S l u g
oil-rich water-rich
T1/T2 2.5 19.9 7.1 25.0
5.0 23.6 15.7 31.6
B4/B4W 5.0 62.92 - 80.9

10.0 77 .02 - 94 .7

Next, t h e p r o p o r t i o n s o f o i l - r i c h and w a t e r - r i c h
s l u g s were v a r i e d f o r a g i v e n s l u g s i z e (10% pv) and t h e
t e r t i a r y r e c o v e r i e s were compared. As seen i n T a b l e V,
o i l - r i c h s l u g s were more e f f e c t i v e
Table V. Effect of Oil-Rich/Water-Rich S l u g Volume Ratio

on T e r t i a r y R e c o v e r y
Micellar Slug oil-rich water-rich T e r t i a r y Recovery

ratio fvol.> % o i l i n place
T1/T2 100 00 47.5
70 30 42.2
50 50 39.9
30 70 34.5
00 100 30.9
than water-rich slugs i n recovering t e r t i a r y oil. The

e f f i c i e n c y o f t h e p r o c e s s can be improved by following
the o i l - r i c h s l u g with w a t e r - r i c h s l u g . For example, a
70:30 c o m p o s i t e s l u g r e c o v e r e d as much c r u d e as a s i n g l e
slug of equivalent s i z e .
M u l t i p l i c i t y of Slugs. The e f f e c t o f m u l t i p l i c i t y o f
s l u g on r e c o v e r y e f f i c i e n c y was examined by a l t e r n a t i n g
t h e o i l - r i c h and w a t e r - r i c h s l u g s i n 2, 3 and 4 s t e p s ,
f o r a g i v e n s l u g s i z e (5% p v ) . In e a c h c a s e , t e r t i a r y
r e c o v e r y was h i g e r f o r 3 and 4 s t e p s t h a n f o r 2 s t e p s .
( S l u g s i z e "5/3" s t a n d s f o r a t o t a l s l u g s i z e o f 5% pv
s p l i t i n t o 3 e q u a l p a r t s . ) The o r d e r o f i n j e c t i o n o/w/o
r e p r e s e n t s o i l - r i c h s l u g f o l l o w e d by w a t e r - r i c h s l u g
f o l l o w e d by o i l - r i c h s l u g . T a b l e VI shows s e l e c t e d
r e s u l t s f o r a 5% s l u g i n s e v e r a l s t e p s . It i s c l e a r that
t h e t h r e e s l u g c o n f i g u r a t i o n gave h i g h e r o i l r e c o v e r y
than a s i n g l e s l u g .
Table VI. Comparison o f T e r t i a r y R e c o v e r y U s i n g Single

and Composite M i c e l l a r S l u g s
Slug Type Slug Size Order of T e r t i a r y Recovery

% pv Injection % o i l in place
B4 5 o 62.93
B4 5/2* o/w 80.85
B4 5/3 o/w/o 87 .02
LI 5 o 73.35
LI 5/3 o/w/o 81.91
* d e n o t e s a 5% pv s l u g , c o n s i s t i n g o f two e q u a l p a r t s ,
being o i l - r i c h , water-rich, respectively.
G r a d e d Composite S l u g s . In g r a d e d m i c e l l a r s l u g s , two o r
more s l u g s a r e i n j e c t e d so t h a t a g r a d a t i o n s t a r t s w i t h

o i l - r i c h s l u g and ends w i t h a w a t e r - r i c h s l u g . Micellar

c o m p o s i t i o n s formed a l o n g t h e d i l u t i o n p a t h o f an o i l -
r i c h s l u g a r e e x c e l l e n t i n f o r m i n g a g r a d a t i o n and a r e
e f f i c i e n t i n m o b i l i z i n g the t e r t i a r y o i l . Table VII
shows t h e r e s u l t s o f s i n g l e , c o m p o s i t e , a n d g r a d e d
c o m p o s i t e s l u g s o f B4 a n d L I , i n r e c o v e r i n g B o n n i e G l e n
crude and P r o v o s t crude, r e s p e c t i v e l y .
Table VII. Comparison o f T e r t i a r y R e c o v e r y w i t h

S i n g l e , Composite, and G r a d e d Composite
M i c e l l a r Slugs
Slug Type Slug Size Order o f T e r t i a r y Recovery,

% pv Injection % o i l in place
B4 5 o 62.93
5/3* o/w/o 87.02

5/3 o/w/+w 97.94
LI 5 o 73.35
5/3 o/w/o 81.91
5/3 o/w/+w 96.87
o : oil-rich w : water-- r i c h , +w : more w a t e r - r i c h
* d e n o t e s a 5% p v s l u g , c o n s i s t i n g o f t h r e e e q u a l p a r t s ,
b e i n g o i l - r i c h , w a t e r - r i c h and o i l - r i c h , r e s p e c t i v e l y .
Smaller Slug Size. E f f i c i e n c y o f graded composite slugs

o v e r a s i n g l e s l u g was h i g h enough t o r e d u c e t h e s l u g
volume r e q u i r e m e n t t o l e s s t h a n o n e - h a l f a n d s t i l l o b t a i n
t h e same t e r t i a r y r e c o v e r y . T h i s i s shown i n T a b l e V I I I .
E a c h volume o f a c o m p o s i t e s l u g i n j e c t e d r e c o v e r e d 3
t o 15 t i m e s i t s volume i n t e r t i a r y o i l . S u l f o n a t e l o s s
i n g r a d e d c o m p o s i t e s l u g r u n s was c o n s i d e r a b l y l o w e r t h a n
i n s i n g l e s l u g runs. T h i s shows t h a t s l u g d i s s i p a t i o n
due t o s u l f o n a t e l o s s i s l o w e r i n g r a d e d c o m p o s i t e s l u g
r u n s , a n d hence t h e r e s i d u a l o i l was m o b i l i z e d and
r e c o v e r e d more e f f i c i e n t l y . T y p i c a l o i l recovery curves
f o r 5% p v s i n g l e s l u g runs and m u l t i p l e s l u g runs u s i n g
m i c e l l a r s l u g B4 a r e shown i n F i g u r e s 9 a n d 10. Similar
c u r v e s f o r m i c e l l a r s l u g L I a r e shown i n F i g u r e s 11 a n d
12, r e s p e c t i v e l y .
Conclusions
B a s e d upon o v e r 50 m i c e l l a r f l o o d s c a r r i e d out on
sandstone cores, the f o l l o w i n g c o n c l u s i o n s are reached:
1. O i l - r i c h s l u g s r e c o v e r e d more c r u d e o i l t h a n w a t e r -
richslugs.
2. S m a l l m i c e l l a r s l u g s (2-5% pv) can r e c o v e r 3 t o 15
t i m e s t h e i r volume o f w a t e r f l o o d r e s i d u a l o i l . F i n a l
o i l s a t u r a t i o n was r e d u c e d t o 0.02% p v f o r 2% p v s l u g
s i z e and,0.01% p v f o r 5% p v s l u g s i z e .
3. O i l d i s p l a c e m e n t e f f i c i e n c y can be i m p r o v e d
c o n s i d e r a b l y when a c o m p o s i t e s l u g i s u s e d i n p l a c e

Table V I I I . T e r t i a r y Recovery with Smaller Slug Size
Slug Slug Size T e r t i a r y Recovery S u l f . Recovery Process

Type % pv % o i l i n place meg/lQQg r o c k Efficiency*
B4(s) 5 62.93 0.085 5.02
B4(g) 5 97.94 0.028 6.26
B4 (s) 2 16.86 0.040 3.01

B4(g) 2 92.36 0.017 15.39
LI (s) 5 0.037
73.35 5.51
Ll(g) 5 96.87 0.018 6.65
Ll(s) 2 63.99 0.022 11.34

X^Kg) 2 7Q.26 0.006 12.27
s : single slug g : graded composite s l u g
* v o l . o f o i l r e c o v e r e d / T o t a l s l u g volume
F i g u r e 9. P r o d u c t i o n H i s t o r y o f 5% PV M i c e l l a r S l u g B4
and 50% PV B u f f e r I n j e c t e d a t 1.41 m/day

F i g u r e 10. P r o d u c t i o n H i s t o r y o f 5% PV Graded
Composite S l u g o f B4 a n d 50% PV B u f f e r I n j e c t e d a t 1.35
m/day
R u n #56
Initial O i l Saturation - 37.55% P V
S l u g Size - 5% P V L1 Single
a. Buffer Size - 50% P V
Frontal Velocity - 1.40 m/day
O Tertiary Recovery - 73.35% OIP
/
/
/•* Cumulative
/ Oil Recovery,
/ %OIP
% O i l in S a m p l e
% Micellar
in S a m p l e
CL
E
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.1

Pore Volumes Produced
F i g u r e 11. P r o d u c t i o n H i s t o r y o f 5% PV M i c e l l a r Slug
L I a n d 50% PV B u f f e r I n j e c t e d a t 1.40 m/day

F i g u r e 12. P r o d u c t i o n H i s t o r y o f 5% PV Graded
Composite S l u g o f L I I n j e c t e d a t 1.35 m/day

of a s i n g l e slug. Process e f f i c i e n c y increased

s u b s t a n t i a l l y (12-15%) f o r a 2% pv s l u g s i z e when a
g r a d e d c o m p o s i t e s l u g was u s e d i n s t e a d o f a s i n g l e
slug of equivalent s i z e .
4. O i l r e c o v e r y i n c r e a s e s w i t h an i n c r e a s e i n m i c e l l a r
slug size. But t h e p r o c e s s e f f i c i e n c y d r o p s a n d t h e
surfactant loss increases.
5. The s l u g r e q u i r e m e n t , a n d t h e r e f o r e , t h e c o s t o f
p r o d u c t i o n , c a n be r e d u c e d b y u s i n g a g r a d e d
composite s l u g i n p l a c e o f a c o n v e n t i o n a l s i n g l e
slug. F o r example, a 5% p v o f a g r a d e d c o m p o s i t e
s l u g B4 r e c o v e r e d 97.74% o i l i n p l a c e , whereas a
2% p v o f t h e same s l u g r e c o v e r e d 92.36% o i l i n p l a c e ,
i n c r e a s i n g t h e p r o c e s s e f f i c i e n c y from 6 t o 15.
Literature Cited
1. Gogarty, W.B. and Tosch, W . C . : "Miscible-Type

Waterflooding : O i l Recovery with M i c e l l a r
Solutions", J . Pet. Tech. (Dec. 1968) 1407-1415.
2. Healy, R . H . and Reed R.L.: "Physicochemical Aspects of
Microemulsion Flooding", Soc. Pet. Eng. J. (Oct.1974)
14, 491-501.
3. Davis, J . A . and Jones, S . C . : "Displacement Mechanisms
of M i c e l l a r Solution", J . Pet. Tech. (Dec. 1968),
1415-1428.
4. Holm, L . W . : "Mobilization of Waterflood Residual Oil
by M i s c i b l e F l u i d s " , SPE Res. Eng. (July 1986) 354-
362.
5. Pope, G.A, Tsaur, K . , Schechter, R . S . and Wang, B.:
"The E f f e c t of Several Polymers on the Phase
Behaviour of M i c e l l a r F l u i d s " , Soc. Pet. Eng. J.
(Dec. 1982) 816-830.
6. Sayyouh, M.H.M., Farouq Ali, S.M. and S t a h l , C.D.:
"Rate E f f e c t s i n T e r t i a r y M i c e l l a r Flooding of
Bradford Crude Oil", Soc. Pet. Eng. J. (Aug. 1981)
469-479.
7. Enedy, S.L., Farouq Ali, S.M. and S t a h l , C.D.:
"Competing Roles of I n t e r f a c i a l Tension and
Surfactant Equivalent Weight i n the Development of a
Chemical Flood", Soc. Pet. Eng. J. (Aug. 1982) 472-
480.
RECEIVED February 7, 1989


Oil Recovery with Multiple Micellar Slugs

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Oil Recovery with Multiple Micellar Slugs

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Chapter 18

Oil Recovery with Multiple Micellar Slugs

1Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineering, The

Micellar flooding process has been shown to be

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

The works o f v a r i o u s i n v e s t i g a t o r s s u c h as G o g a r t y and

Basic Process. H y d r o c a r b o n , w a t e r / b r i n e and surfactant

Phase B e h a v i o u r S t u d i e s and Slug Formulation

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

Phase B e h a v i o u r C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . Studies of ternary

American Chemical Society

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

t i m e r was u s e d t o c o l l e c t t h e e f f l u e n t Schematic of the

Procedure. C o r e f l o o d s were c a r r i e d out i n h o r i z o n t a l l y

The c o r e s were t h e n w a t e r f l o o d e d w i t h b r i n e (2% NaCl) t o

A n a l y s i s of the Produced Fluids

The o i l phase o f t h e e f f l u e n t was a n a l y z e d u s i n g t h e IR

Accuracy. A l l f l u i d s p r o p e r t i e s measured were w i t h i n

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

Crude O i l s and Connate Water. The m u l t i p l e m i c e l l a r s l u g

Table I. Viscosities and D e n s i t i e s o f Crude Oils

Crude O i l Viscosity, mPa.s D e n s i t y , g/ml

A 2% (w/v) sodium c h l o r i d e s o l u t i o n was u s e d as t h e

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

Mercury Displacement Chart

Figure 1. S c h e m a t i c o f Core F l o o d i n g Apparatus

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

c o r r e s p o n d i n g w a t e r - r i c h s l u g s were P2 and T2. Penn

slugs. T a b l e I I shows t h e c o m p o s i t i o n and v i s c o s i t i e s o f

Single Slugs. Minimum s l u g s i z e r e q u i r e d f o r t h e

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

Table I I . Composition and V i s c o s i t i e s of Micellar Slugs

Components Composition, % vol. C o m p o s i t i o n r *; w

B4 B4W B4X LI L1W1 L1W2 PI P2 Tl T2

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

* B4, B4W, B4X : B o n n i e G l e n crude

ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1989.

Table III. T e r t i a r y Recovery with Single M i c e l l a r Slugs

Crude O i l S l u g Type Slug Size T e r t i a r y Recovery

Provost Crude LI ( o i l - r i c h ) 2 .0 64. .0

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

Miscellar Slug Size, % PV

Slug Size (% PV)

Table IV. T e r t i a r y R e c o v e r y U s i n g P a i r e d ( O i l - R i c h and

Micellar Total Slug T e r t i a r v Recoverv. % o i l i n p l a c e

B4/B4W 5.0 62.92 - 80.9

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

Table V. Effect of Oil-Rich/Water-Rich S l u g Volume Ratio

Micellar Slug oil-rich water-rich T e r t i a r y Recovery

than water-rich slugs i n recovering t e r t i a r y oil. The

Table VI. Comparison o f T e r t i a r y R e c o v e r y U s i n g Single

Slug Type Slug Size Order of T e r t i a r y Recovery

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

o i l - r i c h s l u g and ends w i t h a w a t e r - r i c h s l u g . Micellar

Table VII. Comparison o f T e r t i a r y R e c o v e r y w i t h

Slug Type Slug Size Order o f T e r t i a r y Recovery,

5/3* o/w/o 87.02

Smaller Slug Size. E f f i c i e n c y o f graded composite slugs

In Oil-Field Chemistry; Borchardt, J., et al.;

Table V I I I . T e r t i a r y Recovery with Smaller Slug Size