Publications

Current hydrocarbon production faces challenges of low oil recovery efficiency and significant environmental impacts from carbon emissions. The CO₂-surfactant Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) method, using the huff-n-puff technique, offers an innovative solution. The huff-n-puff process involves three stages: injection, soaking, and re-production. In the injection phase, a mixture of CO₂ and surfactant is injected into the reservoir to reduce oil viscosity and interfacial tension between oil and water. The soaking phase allows the CO₂-surfactant mixture to interact with the oil, enhancing the mobilization of trapped oil. Finally, in the re-production phase, the mobilized oil is produced back to the surface. This cycle maximizes oil recovery, with studies showing up to a 30% increase in recovery compared to conventional methods. The application of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) within this technique ensures safe sequestration of CO₂ and sustainability of oil recovery. CO₂ is injected into deep geological formations, where it is trapped permanently through mechanisms such as residual trapping, dissolution, and mineralization. Real-time monitoring of reservoir conditions, including pressure and gas composition, is crucial to ensure CO₂ remains securely trapped, preventing leakage and ensuring long-term storage. CO₂-surfactant injection has significant advantages Compared to other EOR methods. While steam or water flooding may be less effective in low-permeability reservoirs, CO₂-surfactant injection improves oil mobility and reduces surface tension, making it particularly effective for challenging reservoirs like shale or heavy oil. Furthermore, the use of locally sourced surfactants, such as those derived from lignin waste in wood processing and palm oil waste, provides a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional surfactants. This approach not only improves recovery efficiency but also supports the circular economy by utilizing industrial waste, making CO₂-surfactant EOR a more environmentally friendly and economically viable option.