Composition for preventing formation of water-oil emulsions using additives

Abstract

A method of preventing formation of a water and oil emulsion in a downhole formation containing oil, the method comprises preparing a dispersion of water and a plurality of non-functionalized nanoparticles, each nanoparticle in the plurality of nanoparticles having a size of at least 300 nanometers, and injecting the mixture downhole into contact with the oil downhole. Presence of the plurality of nanoparticles prevents formation of an emulsion between the injected water and the oil.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A composition for use in preventing formation of water and oil emulsions comprising a dispersion of a plurality of non-functionalized nanoparticles, each of the nanoparticles having a size of at least 300 nanometers dispersed in water. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles is composed of silica. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the water is distilled and the plurality of nanoparticles are dispersed in the water at a concentration of approximately 0.2 weight percent. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the water further includes salt, and the plurality of nanoparticles are dispersed in the water at a concentration of approximately 1.6 weight percent. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the water has a salt concentration of approximately 3.5 weight percent. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein each of the nanoparticles in the plurality of nanoparticles has a size in a range of 300 to 500 nanometers. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles of uniform size within the range. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the water is distilled. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles are dispersed in the water at a concentration of approximately 0.2 weight percent. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the water further includes salt. 
     
     
         18 . A composition for use in preventing formation of water and oil emulsions comprising a dispersion of a plurality of nanoparticles having a surface with surface properties,
 wherein each of the nanoparticles has a size of at least 300 nanometers dispersed in water, and   wherein the nanoparticles free of any chemical species or groups which modify surface properties thereof.   
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles is composed of silica. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein the water is distilled and the plurality of nanoparticles are dispersed in the water at a concentration of approximately 0.2 weight percent. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein the water further includes salt, and the plurality of nanoparticles are dispersed in the water at a concentration of approximately 1.6 weight percent. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the water has a salt concentration of approximately 3.5 weight percent. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein each of the nanoparticles in the plurality of nanoparticles has a size in a range of 300 to 500 nanometers. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles of uniform size within the range. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein the water is distilled. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles is dispersed in the water at a concentration of approximately 0.2 weight percent. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein the water further includes salt.