Amino Acids’ Role in Enhanced Oil Recovery

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques are designed to boost the amount of extractable oil to approximately two-thirds of the original reservoir volume, as primary and secondary recovery methods typically recover only about one-third. Chemical flooding, particularly with surfactants, is an efficient EOR method that mobilizes trapped oil by reducing interfacial tension (IFT) and altering wettability. Research has focused on biodegradable and biocompatible surfactants, including natural and bio-based ones, with some amino acids showing potential as EOR agents. These amino acids, although less studied, can reduce IFT and modify rock surface wettability, and are used as feedstock for bio-based surfactants. This chapter discusses the potential of amino acids and various bio-based surfactants for EOR applications. The discussion revealed that amino acids have potential applications in the oil and gas industry as EOR agents or waterflooding additives. Despite their amphiphilic nature, their short alkyl chains limit their EOR effectiveness. However, derivatized amino acids (AASs) and other bio-based surfactants have shown promise. Studies reveal that surfactants like α-sulfo fatty acid methyl esters and sodium ethyl ester sulfonate can reduce oil-water IFT and alter surface wettability effectively. Commercially available AASs such as sodium cocoyl alaninate, N-lauroyl sarcosine, and N-lauroyl-l-glutamic acid have demonstrated significant EOR potential. Although promising in laboratory settings, these agents need economic feasibility studies and production in commercial quantities for field deployment.