Alkali Metal Silicides for Oil Field ApplicationsImproving Heavy Oil EOR

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Formed in 2005 to commercialize its patented stabilized alkali metals

Customers include industrial chemical processors & energy companies

Holds 30 families of patents including composition of matter, method of making and methods of use patentsPatented use of alkali metal silicides for oilfield applications

SiGNa is a chemical manufacturer that specializes in stabilized reactive alkali metals

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A valuable new tool for the EOR toolkit

Desired reactivity + safety is achieved by solvating metals

in inorganic powders

’Sstabilized alkali metals

ActiveEOR®

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Key Mechanisms for EOR

How it Works: The ActiveEOR® Reaction

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Cost Effective, Higher Performing & Safe

HeatSodium SilicateHydrogenSodium Silicide Water

Material AttributesFree-flowing, easily-handled solid chemicalRapid, controllable and safe chemical reactivity –

reaction is only limited by availability of waterUses inexpensive, abundant raw materialsNon-damaging, non-toxic byproducts (green

chemistry)Easily blends with a hydrocarbon for reservoir

injection

Oil Recovery Benefits

• Reaction occurs in situ, maximizing heat, pressure and gas benefits

• An injection of only 3% PV, compared to typical CEOR that requires 30-40% PV

• Technology is not limited by depth or crude viscosity

• No well redesign or special equipment needed

Na4Si4 (s) + 10 H2O (l) 10 H2 (g) + 2 Na2Si2O5 (aq) + 1654 (kJ)

How it Works: The ActiveEOR® Reaction

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Na4Si4 (s) + 10 H2O (l)

Heat Mechanisms/Benefits

• Viscosity reduction to improve oil mobility (potential viscosity decrease >30%)

• Unlike steam, all heat is released in situ and minimize losses in transit

• Localized pore reaction site temperature increase >300°C possible

• 360,000 BTU per bbl of 30% silicide dispersion; 3,484 BTU per lb NaSi, or 3,959 BTU per lb H2O

• No GHG emissions from heat generation

HeatSodium SilicateHydrogenSodium Silicide Water

Na4Si4 (s) + 10 H2O (l) 10 H2 (g) + 2 Na2Si2O5 (aq) + 1654 (kJ)

How it Works: The ActiveEOR® Reaction

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Hydrogen Mechanisms/Benefits• Generates 10 mols of gas – potential 2 to 5 X volume expansion in reservoir [f (T,P)]• 100 lb of silicide should generate ~53,400 L, or 1,885 ft3, of gas at STP• Provides gas cap energy to low pressured reservoirs – accelerates production by up to 20%• Rapid reaction rate and gas evolution in pores to dislodge oil• Potential for foam formation• Potential for hydrogenation/cracking of heavy crudes to lower viscosity and beneficiate oil• Not a greenhouse gas (GHG) – produced hydrogen can be reinjected/energy sourced/flared

HeatSodium SilicateHydrogenSodium Silicide Water

Na4Si4 (s) + 10 H2O (l) 10 H2 (g) + 2 Na2Si2O5 (aq) + 1654 (kJ)

How it Works: The ActiveEOR® Reaction

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Na4Si4 (s) + 10 H2O (l)

HeatSodium SilicateHydrogenSodium Silicide Water

Sodium Silicate Mechanisms/Benefits

• Provides alkali to convert crude acid fractions into surfactants to lower IFT and mobilize oil

• Well buffered to limit sand dissolution (1% silicate = pH 11.8)

• Most effective alkali to inactivate brine hardness ions – protects surfactants

• Silicates promote a water wet environment for improved release of oil

• A green chemical that is widely used in detergent formulations and for water softening

Na4Si4 (s) + 10 H2O (l) 10 H2 (g) + 2 Na2Si2O5 (aq) + 1654 (kJ)

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Oil and Gas Application Roadmap

POST-CHOPS RECOVERY

HYDRAULIC FRACTURING

CARBONATE WETTABILITY

Increase recovery post-CHOPS with the ability to reactivate suspended wells.

Equivalent production rates with reduced water injection and treatment costs.

Converts carbonate surface fromhighly oil wet to highly water wet.

Significantly increase recovery and reduced production times for heavy crudes and bitumen.

ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY

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Post-CHOPS EOR

in collaboration with

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ActiveEOR® for Post-CHOPS

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Technical Concept: ActiveEOR® for Post-CHOPS

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ActiveEOR® for Post-CHOPS Recovery

• ActiveEOR® is applied downhole as a 40 wt.% solids submicron dispersion slurried in hydrocarbon carrier fluid

• Pure hydrocarbon spacers ensures reaction occurs deep within formation

• Short concentrated slug (20 m3 = short injection time)

• Huff-and-Puff process with no need for additional CapEx

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Concept Evaluation (Stage 1)Proof of Concept post-CHOPS work

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Suggested Post-CHOPS

*Primary CHOPS recovery 3-5%; incremental results with ActiveEOR® recovers additional 3%

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Well Pressure Increase

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Reduced Viscosity

ActiveEOR® forChemical EOR

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ActiveEOR® for Enhanced CEOR

• ActiveEOR® is applied downhole as a 20 to 40% solids submicron dispersion in hydrocarbon carrier fluid

• Pure hydrocarbon spacers ensures reaction occurs deep within formation

• Short concentrated slug (1 to 5% PV = short injection time)

• Applicable for vertical and/or horizontal well configurations

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Recover More Oil

Actual reservoir corefloods conducted at SURTEK, a global leader in chemical EORCoreflood & oil characteristics favorable to current chemical flooding techniques (ASP): 22°API, 12 cp oil

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Recover More Oil Faster

Actual reservoir corefloods conducted at SURTEK, a global leader in chemical EORCoreflood & oil characteristics favorable to current chemical flooding techniques (ASP): 22°API, 12 cp oil

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Core Flood Results in Diesel

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3% PV of 30% Dispersion in Mineral Oil

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ActiveEOR® for Carbonate Wettability Alteration

in collaboration with

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Oil Drop Contact Angle Measurement

Remineralizaton of Surface

Hydraulic Fracturing

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Hydraulic Fracturing

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Cleaner Frac Water Flowback

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Reaction Rate vs. Particle Size