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PETROMAKS2-Stort program petroleum

Nanoparticles to Stabilize CO2-foam for Efficient CCUS in Challenging Reservoirs

Alternative title: Nanopartikler for stabilisering av CO2-skum for kombinert lagring og energiproduksjon fra modne oljefelt

Awarded: NOK 4.9 mill.

This laboratory-based research project at the University of Bergen (UiB) led by Department of Physics and Technology has focused on the implementation of nanoparticles with CO2 foam for enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon sequestration during CCUS. Our primary objective was to ?Utilize nanotechnology to stabilize foam for successful implementation of CO2-foam in challenging reservoirs that lead to environmentally sustainable energy production by CCUS?. With this in mind, we have targeted different areas to better understand how nanoparticles can be applied in combination with CO2, from characterizing how nanoparticles transport through porous media, if they can generate foam without adding surfactants, if they contribute positively or negatively to oil recovery mechanisms, and performance under harsh reservoir conditions like elevated temperatures and salinity. From the detailed experimental program, we have extended an existing population-balance model, developed for surfactant-stabilized foams, to enable modelling of laboratory results with nanoparticle-stabilized foams.

The project has targeted different areas to better understand how nanoparticles can be applied in combination with CO2 for combined EOR and CO2 storage. We have characterized how nanoparticles transport through porous media; if they can generate foam without adding surfactants; if they contribute positively or negatively to oil recovery mechanisms; and how they perform under harsh reservoir conditions like elevated temperatures and salinity. From the detailed experimental program, we have extended an existing population-balance model, developed for surfactant-stabilized foams, to enable modelling of laboratory results with nanoparticle-stabilized foams. During the project period (2017-2020) the scientific production associated with the project was - 14 UiB master theses (6 from female master students) - Two UiB PhD theses that contributed to the project - 27 scientific articles and papers - 26 scientific talks, posters and other dissemination

The primary objective is establish an attractive industrial solution for CO2 storage technology, with associated environmental sustainable energy production, by using nanotechnology to stabilize foam for CO2-foam. Global energy strategies need to reflect current climate challenges, and CO2 storage is a large-scale solution for reducing the emission of anthropogenic CO2. The storage capacity in the North Sea formations will likely be sufficient for EU point sources for the fossil era. To use CO2 as a commodity during CO2 EOR is an economic incentive to attract industry, and foam technology reduce adverse effects that limit the effectiveness of CO2 injection and negatively affects storage capacity and associated oil recovery. The common aqueous surfactants that stabilize foam are inherently unstable and must be tailor-made to work optimally of a given field. The known shortcomings of these surfactants may be addressed with available nanotechnology. The short term goal is to improve and optimize EOR-technology currently evaluated or implemented on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) by coupling them with existing nanotechnology. A longer term goal is to develop a synergy between EOR and nanotechnology to boost national nanotechnology competence that may deliver engineered EOR solutions to the operating companies on the NCS. Nanotechnology has the potential to significantly improve current EOR technologies, to enhance performance in harsh environments and to allow new types of oil recovery, but it is not yet routinely used in the oil and gas industry. Although a world leader within EOR, the current links between Norwegian oil and gas industry and nanotechnology are not strong. The expected outcome will be robust nanotechnology solutions to improve CO2 foam performance in harsh conditions. An international collaboration include reputational researchers on use of nanoparticle, foam and CO2 storage from U. of Calgary and Stanford U.

Publications from Cristin

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Funding scheme:

PETROMAKS2-Stort program petroleum