Comparative performance evaluation of modified red onion skin extract as surface active agents for tertiary oil recovery

Abstract

Biomass-based recovery agents are fast becoming an innovative, novel solution to the increasing need for eco-friendly, cost-effective chemical agents as the need to cut production cost becomes imperative. Recent studies showed that certain natural materials if modified can suitably replace synthetic chemicals. Red Onion Skin Extract (ROSE) was chemically modified using furfuraldehyde (ROF) and urea (ROFU) and evaluated to determine its oil displacement efficiency at reservoir conditions by evaluating the fluid compatibilities. Two synthetic brine was formulated to replicate the formation of brine with divalent ions present. Compatibility test of the aqueous solution produced highly soluble, compatible fluids at varying temperatures. Type I microemulsion was observed in both surfactants. Sandstone core analysis was performed to ascertain how effective the individual modified derivatives are in recovering bypassed oil at reservoir temperature (90 °C) and pressure (9000 psi). An additional recovery of 22.7% OIIP and 11% OIIP was attained during ROF and ROFU flooding, respectively. The ROSE derivatives show good performance in displacing heavy oil even at reservoir conditions.