The Application of Acrylic Acid as Precipitation Inhibitor for ASP Flooding

Alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding has been proven as the most effective and easiest method in sandstone reservoirs. The successful results in sandstone formation have widened this method to carbonate reservoirs as well. It is found that about 60%of the world’s oil reserves and 40% of the world’s gas reserves exist in carbonate rocks. Having been potentially attractive, these rocks exhibit immense variation in properties that include porosity, permeability, and flow mechanism. These rocks can be naturally fractured and preferentially oil-wet. 

In addition, carbonate formations contain large amounts of calcium and magnesium ions in the form of calcite (CaCO3) and dolomite. These rocks also have small quantities of calcium sulphate minerals that are anhydrite and gypsum . The main constraint of ASP flooding in carbonate reservoir is the formation of precipitation. Alkali reacts with divalent cationic minerals, resulting in an insoluble salts known as precipitations. These precipitates can cause significant formation damage and pore plugging in the reservoir formation. Read more......................