Complex Fluid Analysis method for Subsurface CO2 Monitoring (H51X-1443 - 2023 AGU Fall Meeting)
Abstract
CO2-foams show significant potential for improving mobility control in CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) processes and for the geological carbon sequestration. The addition of nanoparticles (NPs), such as Fe3O4, has been shown to enhance the stability of these foams, especially when used in conjunction with surfactants. Apart from their role in stabilization, Fe3O4 NPs possess distinctive magnetic properties, making them useful in various applications. In this study, we explore the novel application of these nanoparticles, initially intended for stabilizing CO2-foams, as tracers for monitoring the migration of subsurface CO2 plumes. This monitoring is envisioned through the detection of small quantities of these particles within subsurface fluid environments. To facilitate this, we use an Induction Heating (IH) technique, involving exposing a solution with small amounts of Fe3O4 NPs to a high-frequency alternating magnetic field, then measuring the resulting temperature changes using an infrared camera variations. The results indicate a direct correlation between the NP concentration and the observed temperature increase in the solution.