Unlock the Potentials to Further Improve CO2 Storage and Utilization with Supercritical CO2 Emulsions When Applying CO2-Philic Surfactants

Supercritical CO2 (ScCO2) emulsion has attracted lots of attention, which could benefit both climate control via storage and industry revenue through significantly increased oil recovery simultaneously. Historically, aqueous soluble surfactants have been widely used as stabilizers, though they suffer from slow propagation, relatively high surfactant adsorption well injectivity issues. In contrast, the CO2-soluble improve performance remarkably, due to their CO2-philicity. Here, comprehensive comparison studies are carried out laboratory experiments field scale simulations between a commercially available (CD 1045) proprietary nonionic CO2-philic whose solubility in ScCO2 partition coefficient ScCO2/Brine determined. Surfactant affinity employed is indicated by phase behavior test. Static adsorptions on Silurian dolomite outcrop conducted gain insights its electro-kinetic properties. Coreflooding with consolidated 1 ft Berea sandstone compare performances result natures under two-phase conditions, while harsher conditions examined fractured carbonate presence an oleic phase. Moreover, superiorities foam dual capacity illustrated simulations. WAG injections behaviors baselines, two types emulsions compared SAG injection, characterized saturations, storage, production, utilization ratio pressure distribution. A novel injection strategy, named continuous dissolved (CIDS), unique for surfactant, also studied. It found that displays much lower than CD 1045. Furthermore, scale, higher propagation rate observed mainly ascribed affinity, assisted mobility Field clearly demonstrate potentials over conventional tertiary productions. Relative traditional emulsion, contributes injectivity, capability, energy efficiency. The CIDS further reduce water cost consumption. findings here reveal improving when applying ScCO2-philic compromise environmental economic concerns.