Molecular Chemistry Modeling Approach for Rapid Chemical EOR Formulation Design

Summary Designing a robust chemical enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) formulation is challenging and laborious. An efficient and insightful formulation development process can minimize time and costly resources as CEOR formulations proceed into field implementation. We demonstrate a unique molecular chemistry modelling approach for CEOR formulation design that integrates molecular dynamics and dissipative particle dynamics modeling with crude oil molecular chemistries. The approach is based on a comprehensive understanding of the physical chemistry of microemulsion surface tension and torque concepts coupled with laboratory phase behavior analysis of surfactant, brine and oil mixtures. We applied this molecular chemistry modeling approach at CEOR pilot fields in Malaysia. Good agreement between optimal CEOR formulation predicted from simulations and determined from experiments were obtained, indicated that main characteristics and physics of the formation of optimal microemulsion were captured correctly. The primary advantage of this approach is that it gained speed and accuracy significantly at design stage that are critical to lower the initial investment for a CEOR application.