Experimental study on the viscosity reduction of heavy oil by using of a new type of micro-emulsion

In order to achieve an efficient exploitation of heavy oil reservoirs, a new type of micro-emulsion is prepared with alkyl phenoxy carboxylic acid, co-surfactant (alcohols), diesel oil and water to efficiently reduce the viscosity of heavy oil. With the increase of the chain length of the co-surfactant in a certain range, a larger area of the micro-emulsion region can be obtained. Besides, a clear and transparent micro-emulsion can be obtained when the volume ratio of water-diesel oil is from 8:2 to 5:5. Under the action of micro-emulsion, the viscosity reduction rate of heavy oil reaches over 90% and the electrical conductivity can be greatly increased when the addition of the mass concentration of micro-emulsion is 1%. The results can provide a technical basis for the efficient exploitation of heavy oil reservoirs.