A rapid method to predict minimum miscibility pressure through interfacial tension test and visual observation

Abstract

The minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) CO2 injection performs in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method to increase sweeping efficiency and reduce oil/CO2 interfacial tension (IFT) also advantageous to the environmental in term of gas emissions for carbon capturing. There are several methods to achieve reliable value of MMP such as slim tube test, raising bubble apparatus, vanishing IFT, swelling test, and visual observation. However, these methods have certain limitations, which leads to the development of new techniques for a wide range of applications. In this paper, a rapid method that integrated IFT test with visual observation was investigated. Based on the test, the pressure is plotted against the IFT to predict the MMP for temperature 60 °C and 66 °C. In the meantime, visual observation during the test is also conducted to identify the occurrence of miscibility. The combination of both methods may provide much faster MMP prediction because the test consumes a small amount of hydrocarbon samples. The outcomes of this research clearly suggest that the MMP values resulted from IFT test and visual observation considerably agree with each other.