ENHANCED HEAVY OIL RECOVERY USING 1-ETHYL-3-METHYL-IMIDAZOLIUM ACETATE

Injecting chemicals in reservoirs is an efficient technique to improve oil recovery. In this study, a promising room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1Ethyl- 3-Methyl-Imidazolium Acetate ([EMIM][Ac]), was injected to enhance the extraction of a heavy oil (14 degrees API) from an unconsolidated sand pack at room conditions. [EMIM][Ac] was mixed with two different synthetic brines (0.1 and 1 mass% NaCl), and injected as a continuous displacing phase to improve heavy oil recovery. The results obtained showed that [EMIM][Ac] is an efficient solvent in the enhancement of the oil recovery factor (RF). The effects of [EMIM][Ac] concentration (C) on the interfacial tension (IFT), surface tension (SFT), zeta potential (ZP), pH, and conductivity (COND) were also investigated. The experimental study clearly demonstrates that [EMIM][Ac] is more efficient in enhancing the recovery of heavy oil than sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), a well-known commercial surfactant.