Method for Recovering Hydrocarbon from Tar Sand Using Nanofluid

Abstract

Method for recovery of bitumen from tar sand is provided. An aqueous fluid containing a wetting agent and nanoparticles is injected into a first horizontal well at a temperature above reservoir temperature. Bitumen is released from sand grains and flows into a second horizontal well, where it is transported to surface. In a surface treatment facility, a slurry of tar sand is formed and surfactant and nanoparticles are added to the slurry.

1 . A method for recovering bitumen from a tar sand at a reservoir temperature, comprising:
 injecting an aqueous fluid into a first horizontal well through the tar sand; and   producing fluid from a second horizontal well approximately parallel to the first horizontal well, wherein the aqueous fluid injected contains a wetting agent and nanoparticles.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wetting agent is selected from the group of wetting agents consisting of ethoxylated nonyl phenol, sodium stearate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, lauralamine hydrochloride, trimethyl dodecylammonium chloride, cetyl trimethylammonium chloride, polyoxyethylene alcohol, alkyphenolethoxylate, Polysorbate 80, propylene oxide modified polymethylsiloxane, dodecyl betaine, lauramidopropyl betaine, cocoamido-2-hydroxy-propyl sulfobetaine, alkyl aryl sulfonate, fluorosurfactants and perfluoropolymers and terpolymers, and castor bean adducts. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the nanoparticles are in the size range from 9 nm to 100 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the nanoparticles are composed of silica. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein pH of the aqueous solution is between 2.5 and 11. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous fluid injected into the first horizontal well is at a temperature greater than 20 degrees above the reservoir temperature of the tar sand. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous fluid is hot water. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous fluid is steam. 
     
     
         9 . A method for recovering bitumen from tar sands in surface processing facilities, comprising:
 forming a slurry of the tar sands in water;   adding a surfactant to the slurry; and   adding nanoparticles to the slurry.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the surfactant is selected from the group of surfactants consisting of ethoxylated nonyl phenol, sodium stearate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, lauralamine hydrochloride, trimethyl dodecylammonium chloride, cetyl trimethylammonium chloride, polyoxyethylene alcohol, alkyphenolethoxylate, Polysorbate 80, propylene oxide modified polymethylsiloxane, dodecyl betaine, lauramidopropyl betaine, cocoamido-2-hydroxy-propyl sulfobetaine, alkyl aryl sulfonate, fluorosurfactants and perfluoropolymers and terpolymers, and castor bean adducts. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the nanoparticles are in the size range from 9 nm to 100 nm. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the nanoparticles are composed of silica. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein pH of the water is between 2.5 and 11.