Title: Laboratory measurement of oil viscosity reduction due to CO2 injection at high-pressure, high-temperature conditions
Authors: Yaser Alghawi; Hamid Rahnema; Edgard Parra
Addresses: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, NM 87801, USA; Texas A&M University, Administration Building, 400 Bizzell St, College Station, TX 77843, USA ' New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, NM 87801, USA ' New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 801 Leroy Place, Socorro, NM 87801, USA
Abstract: This work presents the use of rolling-ball viscometer to measure viscosity reduction of two dead oil samples injected with CO2 at a temperature of 168°F and a pressure range of 1,114.7 psi-3,514.7 psi. First, a new digital control unit was designed to replace the analogue unit. Afterwards, viscometer was calibrated with Cannon S-6 and S-60 viscosity standards. Next, validation was conducted by measuring the viscosity of n-decane at a temperature range of 77°F-266°F and a pressure range of 514.7 psi-2,014.7 psi. Next step was the investigation of CO2 effect in reducing n-decane viscosity at 130°F-266°F temperature range and 1,014.7 psi-2,014.7 psi pressure range. Results showed significantly reduced viscosities of the CO2 mixture compared to n-decane viscosities, especially at lower temperatures. Afterwards, viscosity of two distinct crude samples was measured at 168°F and 14.7 psi-3,514.7 psi pressure interval. Next, CO2 was injected to respective oil samples and system viscosity was measured at the same temperature and at pressures between 1,114.7 psi and 3,514.7 psi. [Received: September 20, 2021; Accepted: January 30, 2022]
Keywords: viscosity; viscometer; rolling-ball; carbon dioxide; CO2; crude oil; enhanced oil recovery; EOR.
DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2022.126373
International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2022 Vol.31 No.3, pp.242 - 262
Received: 20 Sep 2021
Accepted: 30 Jan 2022
Published online: 24 Oct 2022 *