Multi-Functional Compositions Comprising Concentrated Acids for Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery
The subject invention provides multi-functional biochemical compositions, as well as their use in enhancing oil recovery by, for example, enhancing traditional acid treatments. Advantageously, the compositions and methods of the subject invention are operationally-friendly, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly approaches to enhancing oil recovery. More specifically, in preferred embodiments, the subject invention provides a multi-functional composition for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) comprising one or more concentrated acids that work in synergy with a combination of one or more surfactants, one or more chelating agents, and one or more solvents to stimulate the flow of oil from a formation.
1 . A composition for enhancing oil recovery from an oil-bearing formation, the composition comprising an acid, a biosurfactant, a chelating agent, and a solvent.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , comprising an acid selected from hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and organic acids.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , comprising a biosurfactant selected from glycolipids, cellobiose lipids, lipopeptides, fatty acid ester compounds, flavolipids, phospholipids, high-molecular-weight biopolymers, lipoproteins, lipopolysaccharide-protein complexes, and polysaccharide-protein-fatty acid complexes.
4 . The composition of claim 3 , comprising a sophorolipid.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , comprising a chelating agent selected from dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfonic acid (DMPS), alpha lipoic acid (ALA), thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD), penicillamine, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), sodium acetate, sodium citrate and citric acid.
6 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein the chelating agents comprise a mixture of EDTA, sodium citrate and citric acid.
7 . The composition of claim 1 , comprising a solvent selected from alcohols, and ionic and/or semi-ionic liquids.
8 . The composition of claim 7 , comprising an alcohol selected from ethanol, butanol, propanol, and isopropyl alcohol.
9 . A composition for enhancing oil recovery from an oil well, the composition comprising
water,
hydrochloric acid,
a biosurfactant,
isopropyl alcohol, and
a mixture of EDTA, sodium citrate and citric acid.
10 . The composition of claim 9 , comprising a biosurfactant selected from mannosylerythritol lipids and sophorolipids.
11 . A method for enhancing oil recovery from an oil-bearing formation, the method comprising introducing a composition of claim 1 into the formation, and/or into an oil well and/or wellbore associated with the formation.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the flow of oil from the subterranean formation is stimulated.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein scale and/or paraffin deposits that have plugged rock pore throats in the formation are dissolved and/or dispersed.
14 . The method of claim 11 , 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.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the mobility of oil is increased during recovery.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the wettability of the formation rock is increased.
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein, in addition to enhancing oil recovery, the method improves the quality of recovered oil.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein oil quality is improved by reduction and/or prevention of asphaltene agglomerates in the oil.
19 . The method of claim 11 , comprising introducing water and a composition comprising
1% to 20% v/v hydrochloric acid,
5 to 10 ml/L glycolipid surfactant,
2 to 4 ml/L isopropyl alcohol, and
a mixture comprising 5 to 10 g/L sodium citrate, 5 to 10 g/L citric acid, and 5 to 10 g/L EDTA,
into the formation, oil well and/or wellbore.