New biopolymer for EOR Moscow

A new biopolymer has been produced that can satisfy demands to enhance oil recovery for it has a high viscosity of diluted solutions in formation waters. Biopolymer solutions are stable in a wide range of pH values and temperatures, possess pseudoplastic behaviour and steadiness to thermal degradation at temperatures above 100°C. This biopolymer called simusan is an exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Acinetobacter species capable to utilize ethanol as a carbon and energy source. An estimation of chemical and rheological properties, its emulsion activity and filterability of simusan solutions as wen as fermentation broth has been performed. A technique to improve filterability of the simusan fermentation broth has been developed. New compositions on the base of simusan possessing thickenning and gelation properties have been produced and tested in the oil fields.