M.J. Michnick

Investigation of three phase regions formed by petroleum sulfonate systems

The three-phase region of the Witco TRS 10-80 sulfonate/nonane/isopropanol (IPA)/2.7% brine system was investigated in detail. A method is described to locate phase boundaries on pseudoternary diagrams, which are slices of the tetrahedron used to display phase boundaries of the four-component system. The three-phase region is wedge-like in shape extending from near the hydrocarbon apex to a point near 20% alcohol on the brine/alcohol edge of the tetrahedron. It was found to be triangular in cross section on pseudoternary diagrams of constant brine content, with its base toward the nonane/brine/IPA face. The apex of the three-phase region is a curved line where the M, H+M, and M+W regions meet. 18 refs.

Phase Boundaries of Microemulsion Systems as a Way of Characterizing Hydrocarbon Mixtures

The research reported in this work extends the work of J.G. Dominguez et al. to mixtures of pure hydrocarbons. The locations of the lower phase boundaries for Region 4 were determined for four types of mixtures prepared with pure hydrocarbons ranging from C/sub 6/ to C/sub 18/. In all phase behavior experiments, the lower phase boundary of Region 4 was a straight line when volume of alcohol was plotted against volume of brine. Furthermore, the slope of this phase boundary was found to be a linear function of alkane carbon number (ACN) for pure hydrocarbons and equivalent alkane carbon number (EACN) for mixtures of pure hydrocarbons. The correlation of a property of the phase diagram (the slope of the lower phase boundary) with EACN suggests a new approach to characterization of hydrocarbon/surfactant systems. This work is of interest to enhanced oil-recovery processes. 13 refs.

Characterization of Petroleum Sulfonates by a Nonaqueous Titration Method

A new method is described for the determination of the equivalent weight for petroleum sulfonates. The method is based on the direct acidimetric titration of the sulfonate in acetic acid/acetic anhydride solvent using a titrant of perchloric acid in dioxane. From the titration, the moles of perchloric acid required to react with the sulfonate is measured. The equivalent weight is calculated from the grams of sample titrated and the moles of acid used. The potentiometric titration can be carried out in less than 10 minutes and can be done with 10 to 100 mg of sample. The accuracy and precision of the procedure were examined by the titration of sodium salts of p-toluene sulfonate, 2-naphthalene sulfonate, and petroleum sulfonates. In general, values for the equivalent weight were within 2% of those values determined by the Epton titration, by wet ashing methods, or from the theoretical value. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for the procedure is estimated to be 0.5%. For p-toluene sulfonate, an RSD of 0.15% was calculated. Petroleum sulfonates are used to liberate a residual oil from a porous medium in a tertiary oil-recovery process. 24 refs.

Improved Oil Recovery in Fluvial Dominated Deltaic Reservoirs of Kansas Near Term

Common oil field problems exist in fluvial dominated deltaic reservoirs in Kansas. The problems are poor waterflood sweep efficiency and lack of reservoir management. The poor waterflood sweep efficiency is due to (1) reservoir heterogeneity, (2) channeling of injected water through high permeability zones or fractures, and (3) clogging of injection wells due to solids in the injection water. In many instances the lack of reservoir management results from (1) poor data collection and organization, (2) little or no integrated analysis of existing data by geological and engineering personnel, (3) the presence of multiple operators within the field, and (4) not identifying optimum recovery techniques. Two demonstration sites operated by different independent oil operators are involved in this project. The Stewart Field is located in Finney County, Kansas and is operated by PetroSantander, Inc. This field was in the latter stage of primary production at the beginning of this project and is currently being waterflooded as a result of this project. The Nelson Lease (an existing waterflood) is located in Allen County, Kansas, in the N.E. Savonburg Field and is operated by James E. Russell Petroleum, Inc. The objective is to increase recovery efficiency and economics in these types of reservoirs. The technologies being applied to increase waterflood sweep efficiency are (1) in situ permeability modification treatments, (2) infill drilling, (3) pattern changes, and (4) air flotation to improve water quality. The technologies being applied to improve reservoir management are (1) database development, (2) reservoir simulation, (3) transient testing, (4) database management, and (5) integrated geological and engineering analysis.