It is increasingly important to thoroughly assess, test, and scale-up profitable secondary and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects as the oil is produced from older and more complex reservoirs. By injecting elements that are not typically found in petroleum reservoirs, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), produces oil. After primary and secondary outputs, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is frequently carried out in oil fields. With a focus on the use of a green enzyme, this article is aimed to reveal and share the process and phases of enhanced oil recovery. Further, we will also discuss how guar gum is used in the oil drilling industry. 

Enhanced Oil Recovery – Phases And Process

The three phases of an oil reservoir’s life are primary, secondary, and tertiary. Natural energy sources such as solution gas expansion, water inflow drive, gas-cap drive, or gravity drainage are used to create oil during the initial phase (primary phase). Oil is created during the second phase of production utilising methods like gas injection or flooding with water. Injections are primarily used to increase or maintain reservoir pressure because the production of additional oil is driven by physical force (pressure). Tertiary phase recovery is any technique used after the second phase. It primarily includes organic/micro-organic and microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) processes and various chemical flooding (miscible/immiscible flue/lean gas, CO2 foam, polymer, alkaline, alkaline surfactant, etc.).

Guar Gum – Uses Oil In Drilling

The endosperm of guar seeds is where guar gum, a polysaccharide, is found. Guar gum that has been enzyme hydrolysed has a low viscosity and functions as dietary fibre, which offers several health advantages (such as depicts the cholesterol and glucose-lowering effects, etc.) and can be used in oil drilling. Here, we have discussed four uses of guar gum in oil drilling, scroll down to find out.

• Green Corrosion Inhibitor

A number of issues frequently occur throughout the handling and processing phases of manufacturing because oil includes a small quantity of water. Corrosion, pipeline fouling, equipment wear, and catalyst contamination in refinery processes are a few examples. This is where guar gum comes into the frame, it is used as a chemical  “green corrosion inhibitor.” It is used to add additional layers of protection to machinery and prevent corrosion from starting. They are included at the metal-solution interface in minuscule quantities, where they are physically or chemically adsorbed, and they prevent metal and corrosive substances from coming into contact with the surface.

• Higher Viscosity Modifier

A novel family of guar gum-based biopolymers with components that are both hydrophilic (may be combined with water) and hydrophobic (cannot be mixed) have been effectively used as part of the formulation for drilling muds in improved oil recovery methods. They are quite effective because of the synergy that these two factors offer. The ultimate result is a mixed solution with viscosities that are greater than they could ever be, for either of the two pure polymers at the same concentration.

• Highly Effective Fracturing Fluid

The invention of a new kind of guar gum known as sterically modified guar gum is formed of water-soluble polymers that are directly attached to the polymer’s main chain. They can induce a significant drop in surface or interfacial tensions (IFTs). These guar derivatives are polysaccharides that operate as excellent drilling fluids during enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations. Additives aid in reinforcing the fracture while limiting the harm caused by the procedure. Guar gum and its derivatives can increase a liquid’s capacity to transfer the material required to keep cracks open during oil extraction.

• Demulsifiers For Water-in-Oil Emulsions

Guar gum belongs to a novel family and is also known as an emulsion breaker. Similar to their names, demulsifiers or emulsion breakers are special chemicals that are used to separate emulsions. During the process of crude oil recovery, water is used, and if it comes in contact with pipelines or equipment, severe corrosion problems may arise. Therefore it is necessary to remove the water before crude oil refining. Guar gum is used for such a process to separate water from oil. 

Infinita Biotech is a leading biotechnological company in India. We aim to provide our clients with sustainable and environmentally friendly products. At Infinita, we manufacture eco-friendly enzymatic solutions for various industries.  Superior quality, cheaper manufacturing costs, less waste, and lower energy use are just a few advantages that our products provide above those offered by conventional chemicals and techniques.