Status of Surfactant-Polymer Flooding

James J. Sheng

Abstract

Abstract Surfactant-polymer (SP) flooding emerged from the principle that good sweep efficiency and displacement efficiency result in good oil recovery. Its research and development was shifted to alkaline-surfactant-polymer (ASP) because higher oil recovery can be achieved from the latter. Apparently, some research-development focus is coming back to SP, because ASP has problems in practical applications, e.g., scaling and emulsion. This paper provides the status of surfactant-polymer flooding technology. It covers the following topics: SP interactions and synergies, summary of field projects, placement of polymer, technical screening criteria, laboratory and simulation work, chromatographic separation, alkali-free SP flooding, polymeric surfactant, and future development. The data and analysis presented in this paper will give the updated information about surfactant-polymer flooding, as well as a guide to the relevant research. Survey data will also provide operators with reference data for their project design and optimization. Keywords: Surfactant-polymer flooding, synergy, alkali-free, polymeric surfactant, chemical enhanced oil recovery Cite this Article Sheng James J. Status of Surfactant-Polymer Flooding. Journal of Offshore Structure and Technology. 2016; 3(1): 13–24p.