This work focused on promoting an innovative method of modifying the wettability of the rock to be gas-wettable using nanoparticles of gamma-alumina and magnesia functionalized with a commercial non-ionic short-chain fluorocarbon surfactant dispersed in a stream of Flue Gas. To develop this project, experimental tests and theoretical analyzes were carried out. The γ-Al2O3 and MgO nanoparticles were impregnated with the surfactant at 30% by weight. To verify the effectiveness of the treatment to modify the wettability of the rock, contact angle tests were carried out at high pressure and high temperature conditions (HPHT). Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out in order to obtain physical insights about the functionalization process, reproducing the nanoparticle-surfactant interactions. The nanoparticles effectiveness were evaluated through coreflooding tests in a tight sandstone outcrop at reservoir conditions. The best results found for the contact angle at HPHT were for the nanofluid of γ-alumina nanoparticles functionalized with fluorosurfactant at (AlSY30) dispersed in water at a concentration of 300 mg∙L-1 (AlSY30-NF). The contact angle results obtained at reservoir conditions at 276 bar and 80°C were 122 ± 2° and 119 ± 1° for water and oil, respectively. From the theoretical evaluation was found that the wettability alteration it was do by the adhesive energy reduction. A novel coreflooding test was performed by dispersing the nanofluid at different concentrations (from 0 to 300 mg∙L-1) in a flue gas stream. A very low concentration of 10 mg∙L-1 resulted in a residual oil saturation (Sor) reduction of 57% and an increase in oil recovery of approximately 23% relative to the flue gas in the absence of nanofluid. The results obtained in this study are expected to promote an innovative and efficient technology for the injection of dispersed nanofluids as a recovery method in condensed gas fields with excellent performance at very low concentrations.

Evaluation of the wettability of the reservoir rock using nanoparticles functionalized with a fluorosurfactant for EOR operations with flue gas, a theoretical and experimental analysis.

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