Dr. George Hirasaki

Everyone knows that oil and water do not mix. However, with addition of a fraction of a percent of a suitable surfactant and electrolytes, oil and water can be made practically miscible.

When the oil and gas industry depletes an oil reservoir, about two-third of the original oil remains in the ground. We are seeking methods to improve the recovery efficiency of waterflooding and carbon dioxide flooding processes by the use of surfactants. Through better understanding of the chemistry and physics of the process, we hope to make the process economical.

Contact Information

• Dr. Hirasaki's Website
• gjh at rice.edu
• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department Website

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