article · Journal of Polymers and the Environment
Xanthan gum is an environmentally friendly, biodegradable polymer with potential for use in enhanced oil recovery due to its rigid structure and resilience in harsh reservoir conditions. This research investigates two modified xanthan gum biopolymer composites created by grafting natural xanthan gum with synthetic vinyl monomers through emulsified polymerisation. The modified materials were characterised using spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and thermal analysis to evaluate surface morphology and thermal properties. Laboratory tests assessed their rheological behaviour under reservoir conditions, including stress scanning and viscosity under varying shear rates. Computational modeling examined polymer adsorption on quartz crystal surfaces to evaluate wettability changes. Sandstone-packed laboratory trials demonstrated that the modified polymers, designated XG-g-AM&MMA and XG-g-AM, MMA&TEVS, altered wettability and performed effectively as enhanced oil recovery agents in challenging sandstone environments.
Traditional oil recovery methods often rely on synthetic chemicals that can harm the environment or break down under harsh subsurface conditions. By modifying naturally sourced, biodegradable xanthan gum with synthetic monomers, this approach offers an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative for improving oil extraction efficiency while maintaining chemical stability in demanding sandstone reservoirs.
This technology could enable oil and gas extraction operators to implement more environmentally friendly enhanced oil recovery processes. Potential users include oilfield service companies and reservoir engineering teams operating in sandstone reservoirs. Based on the abstract, the technology is at the stage of applied laboratory testing, having been validated through computational simulation and bench-scale sandstone-packed model experiments, but it has not yet progressed to field trials.
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Abstract Utilizing xanthan gum, a biodegradable polymer, in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is imperative wherever there is a need for innovation in oil production that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Xanthan, chosen for its natural sourcing, availability, controllability, eco-friendliness, and biodegradability, proves resilient against harsh reservoir conditions owing to its rigid structure and elongated polysaccharide chains. This study investigates two modified xanthan gum composites, achieved by grafting with synthetic vinyl monomers through emulsified polymerization. Spectroscopic characterization using FTIR and 1 H-NMR, along with surface morphology analysis via atomic force microscopy (AFM) and thermal behavior screening through TGA analysis, elucidates the properties of these modified composites. Rheological behavior under reservoir conditions, including stress scanning and viscosity/shear rate dependency, was evaluated. Material modeling with the Materials Studio program simulated the equilibrium adsorption of xanthan and modified biopolymer chains on SiO 2 -quartz crystal to assess wettability alteration. Simulation results indicate that XG-g-AM, MMA&TEVS exhibit greater stability and surface coverage with more negative electrostatic energies compared to XG and XG-g-AM&MMA. The laboratory runs on a sandstone-packed model to identify the disclosed XG-g-AM&MMA and XG-g-AM, MMA&TEVS biopolymers as promising EOR candidates and wettability modifiers in challenging sandstone reservoirs, as per experimental outcomes.
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DOI: 10.1007/s10924-024-03346-x
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