(57k) Comparative Evaluation of Surfactants with Diverse Tail Structures for Clay Swelling Inhibition

Clay swelling poses a significant challenge in the oil and gas industry, especially during drilling and production operations. These clays, prevalent in geological formations, have a tendency to expand, leading to wellbore instability, potential drilling complications, wellbore instability, and diminished production efficiency. Surfactants have emerged as a promising solution to mitigate clay swelling. These chemicals are required to demonstrate solubility across diverse water compositions, endure reservoir ion levels, and remain stable at high temperatures. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of different surfactant categories, including those with hydrocarbon-based alkyl tails and surfactant having magnetic properties. Our in-house synthesized surfactants exhibit exceptional solubility across varying water compositions and salinity levels, with no evidence of precipitation or phase separation. Moreover, these surfactants maintain their structural integrity, even after prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures (90°C for several days). The swelling inhibition characteristics of our developed surfactants outperforms commercial surfactants. Experimental data indicates that developed surfactants provide prolonged clay swelling inhibition compared to traditional inhibitors like KCl. Furthermore, developed surfactants exhibit improved filtration and rheological properties when compared to commercial alternatives. The diverse range of in-house-produced surfactants showcases their immense potential for effective clay swelling inhibition in the oil and gas industry.