Laboratory and Field Tests of Component-wise Gel Injection Technology for EOR

This work presents the results of computer modeling, laboratory research and field tests of component-wise gel injection technology for EOR. Now standard methods of gel injection imply using of homogeneous gel-forming composition, with component mixing on a surface just before injection, or even earlier, at a stage of chemicals production. It is not always acceptable, because the gelation process can start inside or near the wellbore, e.g. in a hot steam injection well, but the technology requires the formation of a gel shield at a certain distance from the well. Component-wise injection technology is based on fluid dispersion during filtration through a porous media, when the solutions of each reagent are sequentially injected into the well, and their mixing occurs due to dispersion at a certain distance from wellbore. The computer model of the component-wise injection process, which enables to estimate the required volumes of reagent and their mixing conditions in situ, is presented. Modeling results for different laboratory experiments and injection schemes for field tests are shown. The specially constructed laboratory setup for studying fluid dispersion, with test column length up to two meters, is described. Experimental data obtained were used for computer model verification. In special series of the experiments, test column configuration was varied, with “dead zones” modeled, to estimate its effect on fluid dispersion process. The results of the first successful field test of the technology, performed on injection well in one of the Western Europe oilfields, are also presented. These results prove the adequacy of the model, and the technology effectiveness.