Dynamic stability of a crude oil/brine interface: Effect of anion type

The chemical composition of the aqueous phase plays an essential role in water-based enhanced-oil recovery processes. The aqueous phase ionic profile affects the snap-off response of a crude oil-brine system by linking it to the brine-crude oil interfacial rheology. In this work, we focus on the effect of the anion on the snap-off response. To this end, a sample of crude oil from the Minnelusa Sandstone formation in Wyoming was selected, and several aqueous solutions were prepared with salts containing sodium cation and different anions (chlorides, sulfates, and phosphates) at two ionic strength values, 0.6 M and 6 mM, as cases of high- and low-salinity water. Interfacial tension, interfacial viscoelasticity and interface stability were analyzed as functions of aging time using pendant drop, dilatational rheology, and liquid bridge techniques, respectively. Results show that solutions with higher ionic strength led to the formation of more rigid interfaces, i.e. higher elastic modulus, and faster formation kinetics. In the low-salinity regime, solutions with polyvalent anions produce more viscoelastic interfaces at faster rates than solutions with monovalent anions. Finally, an excellent correlation (R2 greater than 0.97) between the relative stability of the interfacial film, predicted in liquid bridge tests, and the ratio of interfacial tension and interfacial elastic modulus was found.

Automated summary

The chemical composition of the aqueous phase is important in water-based enhanced-oil recovery processes. The ionic profile of the aqueous phase affects the snap-off response of a crude oil-brine system. Solutions with higher ionic strength form more rigid interfaces, while solutions with polyvalent anions in the low-salinity regime produce more viscoelastic interfaces at faster rates. There is an excellent correlation between the relative stability of the interfacial film predicted in liquid bridge tests and the ratio of interfacial tension and interfacial elastic modulus.