Multi-functional compositions for enhanced oil and gas recovery and other petroleum industry applications
The subject invention provides multi-functional biochemical compositions, as well as their use in enhancing oil recovery from an oil-bearing subterranean formation. Advantageously, the compositions and methods of the subject invention are operationally-friendly, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly. More specifically, in preferred embodiments, the subject invention provides a multi-functional composition for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) comprising one or more surfactants, one or more chelating agents, and one or more solvents.
1 . A method for enhancing oil recovery from an oil-bearing formation by stimulating the flow of oil from the formation, the method comprising introducing a composition comprising one or more glycolipid biosurfactants, one or more chelating agents, one or more semi-ionic liquids, and one or more alcohols into the formation;
wherein the one or more glycolipid biosurfactants include lactonic sophorolipids, and wherein the one or more chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more chelating agents further comprise sodium citrate and/or citric acid.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more alcohols comprise isopropyl alcohol and/or ethanol.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying monoammonium phosphate to the well and/or equipment.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein scale and/or paraffin deposits that have plugged rock pore throats in the formation are dissolved and/or dispersed.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein asphaltene agglomeration in oil is prevented and/or reduced, and/or deposition of asphaltene on surfaces of equipment associated with the formation is prevented and/or reduced.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobility of oil is increased during recovery.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the wettability of the formation rock is increased.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein, in addition to enhancing oil recovery, the method improves the quality of recovered oil.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein oil quality is improved by reduction and/or prevention of asphaltene agglomerates in the oil.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied directly to equipment associated with oil production, processing, transportation, storage and/or refining, and wherein the method is useful for maintaining said equipment.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the equipment comprises pipes.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein maintenance of equipment is achieved through the prevention, removal, and/or dispersal of contaminating deposits of asphaltenes that form on the equipment.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of the one or more semi-ionic liquids in the composition is between 0.01% and 10%.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein
the chelating agents remove or sequester heavy metal that serve as anchors for asphaltene particle agglomeration.