Abstract
The purpose of this experimental study was to determine both the effective viscosity and the suitability of C16TASal for use in enhanced oil recovery. The work eventually involved the injection of a single phase fluid with various concentrations of surfactant into a core sample taken from a carbonate reservoir in west Texas. Only one fluid concentration was used during each injection study. From the data collected, the effective viscosity of the fluid as well as the effect of time on viscosity were defined. From analysis of the data, it was found that the fluid did have favorable fluid characteristics but required a very large volume of surfactant before the behavior occurred. This large volume requirement indicates that adsorption could be occurring within the core sample. The results of the study of the surfactant indicate that it was not a candidate for enhanced oil recovery projects. Future studies should be conducted to find either a new or different surfactant formulation as well as a potential co-Surfactant to reduce adsorption.
Platt, Frank Martin (1994). Determining the effective viscosity of a Shear Induced State Structure (SIS) surfactant, C16TMASal, during injection into a porous medium. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1994 -THESIS -P719.