An investigation of viscous oil displacement in a fractured porous medium using polymer-enhanced surfactant alternating foam flooding

Naturally fractured reservoirs are one of the hydrocarbon resources where application foam flooding is particularly recommended, as can divert flow displacing fluid from high-permeability regions (fracture networks) to low-permeability (rock matrix blocks). However, its in heavy oil challenging and results inadequate sweep efficiencies. The current practice (including polymer enhanced flooding, PEF) inefficient high viscosity oils. This due large viscous forces associated with phase rate bubbles coalescence (foam collapse), which make it difficult for displace matrix. Thus, we investigated feasibility polymer-enhanced surfactant alternating (PESAF) (as a new hybrid recovery process) porous media. We hypothesized that PESAF emulsify generate globules by reducing interfacial tension between water phase, also increases stability, leading higher displacement efficiencies presence For this purpose, three different oils (low, medium, oils) were used micromodel simulate immiscible process rocks. experimental showed PEF efficient low oil, however cannot yield efficiency cases. It was found (EOR) increase factors medium cases significantly. These supported hypothesis applying improve