Impact of the Naturally Driven Surfactant in EOR Application: Experimental, Microscopic, and Numerical Analyses

While synthetic, conventional surfactants have a known negative environmental impact, their high cost poses a significant challenge. In contrast, naturally extracted surfactants are cheaper and are readily available. The applicability of natural surfactants depends on the saponin concentration, extraction, and synthesis methods. Certain parameters, such as their efficiency in obtaining the required interfacial tension (IFT) values, salinity tolerance, and stability under reservoir conditions, must be examined. Kazakhstan produces a substantial quantity of flaxseed, and flaxseed oil is a good source of fatty acids that can be converted to natural surfactants. Therefore, the work aims to identify the potential of the natural-flaxseed oil surfactant. The experimental study evaluated the synthesized surfactant, effective concentration, salinity’s effect, interfacial tension, rheology, and oil recovery concerns in vugs limestone. A microscopic study was conducted to provide insight into the flow in the vugus matrix. At the same time, the numerical method was also employed to establish a potential recovery understanding. The Fourier spectrometer results proved the distinct presence of the triterpenoid. The critical micelle concentrations are 6 and 2.5 wt % for solution in 0 and seawater salinity, respectively. The IFT was reduced by 40-48% and is more effective in seawater solutions. The oil additional recovery was 39-50% after surfactants. The presence of a fractured vugus did not affect the success of the application. Despite the difficulty in modeling the system, the numerical results agree with the experiments and show only 7% differences in total recovery. The research offers novel natural surfactants that can be applied in offshore Kazakhstan.