Nanobubble dispersions generated in electrochemically activated solutions

Abstract

Methods and systems for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. A method includes providing a nanogas dispersion comprising a plurality of stable gas-filled cavities dispersed within an electrochemically activated (“ECA”) aqueous solution, the ECA aqueous solution comprising an electrolyte and water; and introducing an effective amount of the nanogas dispersion into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation, wherein the plurality of stable gas-filled cavities of the nanogas dispersion enter into an interstitial space defined as between the hydrocarbon and the hydrocarbon-bearing formation thereby reducing interfacial tension between the hydrocarbon and the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. A system includes a pump configured to introduce the effective amount of the nanogas dispersion into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and a recovery device configured to collect the hydrocarbon from the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.