Chemical EOR Field Support Including Surfactant Blending Studies and Quality Control for Shale and Tight Assets

Abstract

Abstract One of the key components of surfactant related chemical EOR is the surfactant formulation package. After developing a surfactant formulation, delivering it to a target field and assuring similar or better performance is challenging. Since most surfactant formulations contain multiple components, delivering these surfactants as a blend rather than as individual components helps to maintain the correct ratio of components in the surfactant formulation and reduces potential for error during mixing and injection. Thorough quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes support the surfactant blend product performing as designed in field applications. These fundamental steps were applied when deploying surfactant technology which optimizes fracturing fluids for stimulation of shale and tight formations. This paper describes two surfactant formulations developed by Chevron Upstream Labs and successfully deployed in the field. We discuss blending methods, laboratory QA/QC experiments results, field compatibility and aqueous stability test results of mainly two surfactant blends. The paper also describes critical assurance activities that were used to ensure execution excellence.