Using New Synthesis Zirconia-Based Nanocomposites for Improving Water Alternative Associated Gas Tests Considering Interfacial Tension and Contact Angle Measurements

The use of nanoparticles is a known solution for challenges related to enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods, and nanoparticles have good potential for changing effective mechanisms, such as wettability alteration and interfacial tension (IFT) reduction. On the basis of our last research, it was observed that using associated gas in a water alternative gas (WAG) method has a high recovery potential in comparison to other gases, such as CO2 and N-2, in carbonate reservoirs. In this study, zeolite-zirconia-cerium oxide nanocomposites (NCs) with an average size of 29.15 nm have been synthesized by the sol-gel method for improving water alternative associated gas tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), IFT, contact angle, WAG, and nano-assisted WAG tests were designed in the presence of NCs. The XRD and EDX patterns confirmed the formation of CeO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles over the formed zeolite framework. SEM images show that the zirconia-cerium particles are uniformly distributed at the surface of zeolite. Moreover, BET analysis shows that the specific surface area of the NCs is 331.67 m(2)/g as a result of introducing ZrO2 and CeO2. The IFT and contact angle values of nanofluids prepared with concentrations of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 ppm of the NCs were determined as 22 mN/m and 116 degrees, 19.50 mN/m and 86 degrees, 17.30 mN/m and 70 degrees, 12.50 mN/m and 42 degrees, 8.60 mN/m and 36 degrees, and 6.80 mN/m and 38 degrees, respectively. On the basis of these values and zeta potential, viscosity, pH, and density tests in the presence of NCs, 100 ppm was selected as an optimum concentration for improving WAG tests. It was observed that considering the above factors was efficient and the recovery factor during performing NC-assisted WAG test was increased from 42.5 to 72% at a constant WAG ratio and temperature of 1:1 and 40 degrees C, respectively. Moreover, more instant oil and lower produced water were observed during performing a NC-assisted WAG test at an optimum concentration of 100 ppm.

Automated summary

The study reveals that using nanocomposites can enhance water alternative associated gas tests, with the optimum concentration being 100 ppm. Testing at this concentration significantly improves recovery efficiency and reduces water production.