Comparative Analysis of the Performance of Palm Oil MES Surfactant and Pine Wood SLS Surfactant on Berea Sandstone in the Imbibition Process Using Neutron Computed Tomography Application
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17794/rgn.2026.4.14Keywords:
Middle-phase emulsion, interfacial tension, light crude oil, neutron tomographyAbstract
Surfactant flooding is one of the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods aimed at increasing crude oil production in Indonesia. This method is implemented after primary and secondary recovery phases, by reducing the interfacial tension (IFT) in reservoir system, when a significant amount of oil remains trapped and cannot be mobilized. This study employs two types of bio-based surfactants: palm oil-derived MES (Methyl Ester Sulfonate) and pinewood-derived SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate). Both are considered promising alternatives to conventional synthetic surfactants. The methodology used involves experimental and analytical laboratory research. Compatibility tests were conducted on MES and SLS solutions with concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 2% at salinities between 5,000 and 10,000 ppm, using Berea sandstone cores and light crude oil samples. The surfactants were characterized at an EOR laboratory, focusing on compatibility testing, which included aqueous stability and phase behaviour evaluations. Further analyses comprised interfacial tension measurements, IFT stability tests, and both static and dynamic adsorption assessments. Core flooding experiments were then performed on Berea cores using injection and imbibition techniques. In addition, neutron tomography imaging was utilized during core flooding to visualize surfactant distribution within the core samples, allowing identification of surfactant flow zones. Analytical calculations were conducted to validate and enhance the interpretation of the recovery factors obtained through both imbibition and injection processes.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Furqon Haryono Bimantoro, Rini Setiati, Fahrurrozi Akbar, Muhammad Taufiq Fathaddin, Sulistioso Giat Sukaryo, Bharoto Bharoto, Iwan Sumirat, Pauhesti Pauhesti, Priagung Rakhmanto, Refa Amelia Angelica
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