Phase Transitions in Emulsions Formed by Aqueous Emulsifier and its Action on Improving Mobility in Oil Recovery

Transition from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions to water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions and its action on enhanced oil recovery was investigated by viscosity, morphology, and simulated flooding experiments. This transition can be realized by increasing the volume ratio of oil to water or decreasing the emulsifier concentration. At a mass concentration of 0.3 wt%, the self-developed emulsifier FJ-1 mainly forms O/W emulsions at a volume ratio (oil to water) of 1:1. The emulsions behave as O/W emulsions with a low viscosity when the volume ratio of oil to water is below 2:1. Above 2:1, increasing volume ratio leads to the O/W emulsions transferring into W/O emulsions with high viscosity. For example, at a volume fraction of 4:1, the viscosity of W/O emulsions reaches 229.1 mPa · s, and separated water can hardly be detected. Transition from O/W emulsions to W/O emulsions with high viscosity can also be realized by decreasing the concentration of emulsifier to 0.05 wt% or lower at a volume ratio of 1:1. These may be the critical factors leading to transition from O/W emulsions to W/O emulsions at core conditions. Simulated flooding experiments show that emulsifier fluids can act as an in situ mobility improver and make an improvement of oil recovery even by 20.4%. The results indicate that the water-in-crude-oil emulsions possess great potential in enhancing oil recovery.