Surface-modified nanoparticle compositions and related applications in subterranean hydrocarbon recovery
Surface-modified nanoparticles and surfactants are used in compositions and methods for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery from subterranean formations.
1. A treatment fluid for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery, comprising:
surface-modified nanoparticles, each of the surface-modified nanoparticles comprising silica and having a surface modified with a zwitterionic silane;
a stability component comprising a sulfate, chloride, or carbonate salt of aluminum, titanium, or zirconium;
a surfactant composition comprising an amphoteric surfactant and a nonionic surfactant; and
a solvent.
2. The treatment fluid of claim 1 , wherein the zwitterionic silane comprises 3-(dimethyl(3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl)-ammonio) propane-1-sulfonate, 3-(dimethyl (3-(triethoxysilyl) propyl)-ammonio) propane-1-sulfonate, or 3-(diethyl (3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl)-ammonio) propane-1-sulfonate.
3. The treatment fluid of claim 1 , wherein the amphoteric surfactant comprises a sulfobetaine.
4. The treatment fluid of claim 1 , wherein the amphoteric surfactant comprises one or more of 3-((C10-C16)-alkyldimethylammonio)-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate, C10-16-alkyl(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)dimethyl betaine.
5. The treatment fluid of claim 1 , wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises one or more of ethoxylated castor oil, dimethyl-lauryl-amine, C10-16 alkyl dimethylamines, alkoxylated ethylenediamine, and ethoxylated alcohol.
6. The treatment fluid of claim 1 , wherein the surfactant composition further comprises an anionic surfactant.
7. The treatment fluid of claim 1 , wherein the stability component is aluminum sulfate.
8. The treatment fluid of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is selected from a water source, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof.
9. The treatment fluid of claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises a water source, and wherein the water source has at least about 0.5 wt % solids dissolved therein, has a temperature in a range of from 60° C. to 120° C., or has at least about 0.5 wt % solids dissolved therein and a temperature in a range of from 60° C. to 120° C.
10. A method of enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from a subterranean formation, the method comprising:
introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation via a well, the treatment fluid comprising
(a) surface-modified nanoparticles, each of the surface-modified nanoparticles comprising silica and having a surface modified with a zwitterionic silane,
(b) a stability component comprising a sulfate, chloride, or carbonate salt of aluminum, titanium or zirconium,
(c) a surfactant composition comprising an amphoteric surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, and
(d) a solvent; and
recovering a hydrocarbon from the subterranean formation via the well.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the subterranean formation comprises a low permeability formation having a permeability of 0.1 mD or less.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the treatment fluid contacts a solid surface of the subterranean formation, and a contact angle of water on the solid surface is altered by at least 10°.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the treatment fluid contacts the subterranean formation and changes the subterranean formation from oil wettable to water wettable.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the subterranean formation comprises a shale formation, wherein the well is a secondary well or a tertiary well.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the amphoteric surfactant is selected from sulfobetaine, 3-((C10-C16)-alkyldimethylammonio)-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate, or C10-16-alkyl(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)dimethyl betaine.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the stability component is aluminum sulfate.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the zwitterionic silane comprises 3-(dimethyl(3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl)-ammonio) propane-1-sulfonate, 3-(dimethyl (3-(triethoxysilyl) propyl)-ammonio) propane-1-sulfonate, or 3-(diethyl (3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl)-ammonio) propane-1-sulfonate.