Real-World Implications Case Studies Within the Oil & Gas industry, several case studies exemplify the advantages derived from conducting surface property measurements
Enhanced Water-Oil Separation
Scenario: In an offshore oil production platform, the production stream includes
a significant amount of water, which forms an emulsion with the crude oil due
to high surface tension.
Application: By lowering surface tension using appropriate surfactants,
contact angle and surface energy measurements can guide the selection
of the most effective chemicals. This optimization improves emulsion
destabilization, allowing for more efficient water-oil separation and reduced
energy consumption during processing
Scenario: Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods are employed in a mature oil
reservoir to recover more oil. Contact angle measurements are used to assess
the wettability of the reservoir rock. Researchers discovered that the rock has
mixed wettability characteristics.
Application: By altering the contact angle using specific surfactants or
polymers, surface energy measurements help design a more effective EOR
strategy. This increases oil recovery by modifying the interaction between the
reservoir rock and injected fluids
Scenario: Offshore pipelines are exposed to harsh seawater conditions,
leading to corrosion and reduced lifespan. Engineers apply hydrophobic
coatings to the pipeline surfaces. Sliding angle measurements help evaluate
the performance of these coatings.
Application: By achieving a low sliding angle, the coatings effectively repel
water and reduce the risk of corrosion, extending the life of the pipeline and
reducing maintenance costs
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