Enhancement of smart water-based foam characteristics by SiO2 nanoparticles for EOR applications

Here, smart water assisted with synthesized SiO2 nanoparticles have been utilized to prepare the foam solution. Effect of SiO2 nanoparticles on foam stability and oil displacement efficiency in carbonated pattern of glass micromodel have been studied. Obtained results showed that foam solution with smart water assisted with silica nanoparticles has the highest stability in comparison to the distilled water and smart water free of nanoparticles. In the presence of the nanoparticles the stability of the foam solution has significantly increased. However, the highest stability of the smart water based-foam solution has been attained with SiO2 nanoparticles at concentration of 3000 ppm. In the foam solution of smart water without the nanoparticles, the values of R5 and half-life (t1/2) are 91.5 and 2813s, respectively. While, these values in the presence of the dispersed nanoparticles reach to about 99.2 and 3812s, respectively. During the injection experiments with foam solution prepared by the smart water mixed with SiO2 nanoparticles in micromodel, the breakthrough of the foam has been postponed and oil recovery factor has been improved. Due to the presence of the silica nanoparticles in foam solution high-thickness lamellae has been formed and snap-off and lamella division phenomena have occurred in porous network on microscopic scale.