Chemical formulations of nanoparticles (NPs), surfactants and polymers are developed to stabilize high viscosity high internal phase carbon dioxide-in-water (C/W) foams for enhanced oil recovery and hydraulic fracturing fluids. Low concentrations of surfactants that weakly interact with nanoparticles and polymers were used to stabilize the high internal phase C/W foams. The surfactants interact with the nanoparticles and polymers, thereby enhancing the interfacial activity of nanoparticles and polymers to stabilize the CO2 dispersed phase droplets against coalescence. Also, the free surfactants reduce the interfacial tension between the aqueous phase and CO2 phase to facilitate the break-up of the CO2 phase into bubbles. Furthermore, water-soluble polymers were demonstrated to stabilize high internal phase C/W foams and also significantly improve the apparent viscosities of C/W foams relative to the case of the nanoparticles and surfactants alone. The polymer raises the viscosity of the aqueous lamellae between the CO2 bubbles and prevents film drainage and coalescence. The ability to generate viscous fluids for fracturing of shale reservoirs with low amounts of water is of great interest for both reducing water consumption in drilling & completions and mitigation of cost of water-treatment of contaminated fluids. The ability to achieve viscous and stable C/W foams with properly designed nanoparticles could offer an alternative rounte to conventional surfactants to raise the foam stability.

Formulating mixtures of nanoparticles, polymers, and surfactants to stabilize high viscosity high internal phase CO2-in-water foams

249th National Meeting (2015)

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