Prof Onyekonwu Micheal 's research grant

Lead Researcher

Title Prof
Firstname Micheal
Middlename
Surname Onyekonwu
Phone 08033103628
Email mikeonyekonwu@yahoo.com

Research Grant Details

Research Topic Control of Fine Migrations in Reservoirs using Nano-Particles
Benefit to Oil and Gas Practical reservoir optimization study, useful for Nano-material selection and development in-country. Job creation and risk reduction in upstream operation.
Research Duration 2
University University of Port Harcourt
Abstract Fines migration in hydrocarbon reservoir gives rise to a number if problems during production. These fines are continuously generated from Miocene age and younger formations due to unconsolidation. Preventing fines migration from unconsolidated reservoirs by fixing fines to their original positions in the rock matrix is the most effective approach in handling this problem. Using the right kind of nanoparticles dispersed in a suitable fluid has proved to be effective in solving problems in the petroleum industry. For this reason, nine kinds of nanoparticles dispersed in four different fluids were used to conduct several fine control experiments to investigate the ability of the nanoparticles in trapping fines in sand. Oil recovery experiments were also conducted with the nanoparticles and the fines trapping mechanism was studied. From all the conducted experiments, the most effective kind of nanoparticles that was able to trap migrating fines in sand without hindering oil recovery was Aluminium Oxide. It was observed that the presence of hydrocarbons affect the performance of the nanoparticles while oxides of Magnesium and Zinc nanoparticles cause permeability problems. It was also discovered that to attain very high flow rates without fines migrating using the best performing nanoparticles, sudden jumps from low to high flow rates should be avoided. Flows rates should be gradually increased step by step. The primary trapping mechanism of fines in sand in the presence of these nanoparticles is the electrostatic forces of adsorption which is a surface phenomenon. The pH values of the nano-fluids were significant contributing factors.

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