top of page
Lucas Evangelista

GreenZyme Detergent prevents crude oil attachment to rock.

Updated: May 29, 2023

The main target of the water additive GreenZyme technology is the reservoir rock, competing with the oil for attachment surface area. GreenZyme manages to displace oil by interfering with the adhesion behavior of the hydrocarbons. This results in a pronounced change in wettability with improved production drainage.


GreenZyme technology is a water based surfactant detergent, composed of a amphoteric/zwitterion/bi-polar molecule influencing attraction and repulsion of other components. Performing as a nano-magnet, GreenZyme is originally created as a water based separator additive for surface recovery (oil spill), remediation (contaminated soils), and petroleum waste (bottom tank) reduction.


Model of GreenZyme water based molecule, nano magnet structure
Model of GreenZyme water based molecule, nano magnet structure

The latest formulation is an efficient separator when soaked in the reservoir production zone.

Since the 1990s GreenZyme has collected a historical track record of a conservative 40% increase in production in 90% of their implemented wells, with many wells showing improved drainage similar to initial production levels.



GreenZyme path to crude separation, mobility and production
GreenZyme path to crude separation, mobility and production

The GreenZyme molecule integrates a lipophilic receptor that seeks to make temporary physical attachment to crude. This gives the enzyme concentrate the ability to break interfacial tension (IFT) with the oil to seek to disperse water-in-oil emulsions. Interfacial tension is present in the water-in-oil emulsions pockets/droplets due to the presence of salts and they contribute to the resistance to flow and hold of the IFT.


GreenZyme effect on interfacial tension emulsions
GreenZyme effect on interfacial tension emulsions

The enzyme uses the amphoteric polarity to interfere with the adhesion and cohesion behavior of the hydrocarbon. The zwitterion molecule is also able to interact with lose salt-ions that participate in the IFT resistance of water-in-oil mixes, therefore facilitating the breaking of emulsions, promoting separation and actively polishing the crude from water and sand in the reservoir.



GreenZyme wettability changes over time
GreenZyme wettability changes over time

When GreenZyme is strategically used to mitigate water cone and fingering penetration, the detergent can provide a substancial increase in drainage permeability that will unlock and restore the oil well to optimal production levels. Unlocked wells have register +100% increase from baseline production by making available the crude that is skipped due to low mobility with water.


The zwitterionic surfactant effect of the enzyme molecule, while temporarily attaching to the hydrocarbons, allows for the crude to more freely dissipate into the water.

multiple greenzyme effect in the mobility fo crude oil recovery
multiple greenzyme effect in the mobility fo crude oil recovery











Comments


Commenting has been turned off.
bottom of page