Use of a Bio-ASP Solution Composed of an Inorganic Alkali, Surfactin, and Xanthan Gum for Enhanced Oil Recovery

TL;DR

This study introduces a new eco-friendly oil recovery method using a biobased solution that improves oil extraction from mature reservoirs.

Contribution

A fully biobased ASP system using sodium carbonate, surfactin, and xanthan gum is proposed and shown to outperform conventional methods.

Findings

Surfactin significantly reduces interfacial tension, enhancing oil recovery.

Xanthan gum controls viscosity and mobility, improving recovery efficiency.

The optimized Bio-ASP system achieved 63% tertiary oil recovery, surpassing conventional ASP systems.

Abstract

The growing demand for environmentally sustainable enhanced
oil
recovery technologies has stimulated the development of alternative
injection fluids. This study proposes and evaluates a novel biobased
alkaline–surfactant–polymer (Bio-ASP) formulation composed
of sodium carbonate, the biosurfactant surfactin, and the biopolymer
xanthan gum, all derived from renewable resources. A full factorial
23 experimental design with three central replicates (11
core flooding experiments) was employed to investigate the individual
and synergistic effects of these components on sandstone oil reservoirs.
The Bio-ASP solutions were characterized in terms of the density,
pH, interfacial tension, and viscosity. Results revealed that the
surfactin concentration was the main factor in reducing interfacial
tension, while xanthan gum primarily controlled viscosity and mobility,
both significantly improving the oil recovery factor. The optimized
Bio-ASP system achieved up to 63% tertiary oil recovery, outperforming
conventional ASP systems reported in the literature. These findings
highlight the novelty and technical viability of a fully biobased
ASP system, offering a more sustainable and scalable alternative for
efficient exploitation of mature or low-productivity reservoirs.

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