1887

Abstract

Summary

Performance of current synthetic EOR polymers is primarily constrained by salinity, temperature and shear which restrict their application to low to moderate salinity, low to moderate temperature and relatively high permeability reservoirs. The primary goal of the current work is to qualify recently developed associative polymers (AP) for EOR applications as well as to study their behavior in porous media. We also compare their performance with conventional non-associative polymers. In this work, we present the evaluation of several associative polymers. Two broad types of associative polymers were tested, one with a partially hydrolyzed poly acrylamide (HPAM) backbone and the other with a sulfonated HPAM backbone. The concentrations of the tested polymer vary between 75 ppm and 1000 ppm. We demonstrate the applicability of these innovative AP’s through the carefully controlled lab experiments: (1) Corefloods in sandpacks to compare the sweep behaviors with conventional HPAM’s. (2) Single phase flooding experiments are carried out in consolidated outcrop rocks to identify optimal polymer concentrations to achieve the desired in-situ resistance. (3) One dimensional displacement experiments with 8 cP and 90 cP oil are carried out in both unconsolidated and consolidated rocks at different temperatures to validate improved oil recovery. Results generally indicate that associative polymers require lower polymer concentration to generate high resistance factors in porous media and have stable long term injectivity behavior in high permeability rocks (>1D). Associative polymers with HPAM backbone have better filterability and injectivity in comparison to those with HPAM sulfonated backbone in low permeability (<300mD) rocks. Improved oil recovery in high permeability rocks compare well with conventional HPAM and sulfonated HPAM polymers. Based on the laboratory results, we are able to establish the selection baseline for associative polymers in different permeability rocks, salinities and temperatures. Such information can be used to select and screen the appropriate associative polymers, resulting in extending their applicability envelope in EOR.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.201700315
2017-04-24
2024-03-28
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Aktas, F., Clemens, T., Castanier, L., & Kovscek, A. R.
    2008. Viscous Oil Displacement via Aqueous Associative Polymers. Paper SPE 113264 presented at the SPE/DOE Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery. Tulsa, OK. 12 – 23 April. doi: 10.2118/113264‑MS
    https://doi.org/10.2118/113264-MS [Google Scholar]
  2. Delamaide, E., Zaitoun, A., Renard, G., & Tabary, R.
    2013. Pelican Lake Field: First Successful Application of Polymer Flooding in a Heavy Oil Reservoir. Paper SPE 165234 presented at the SPE Enhanced Oil Recovery Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2 – 4 July. doi:10.2118/165234‑MS
    https://doi.org/10.2118/165234- [Google Scholar]
  3. Dupuis, G., Tabary, R., & Grassl, B.
    , 2010. How to Get the Best Out of Hydrophobically Associative Polymers for IOR? New Experimental Insights. Paper SPE 129884 presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium, Tulsa, OK. 24–2 28 April.doi:10.2118/129884‑MS
    https://doi.org/10.2118/129884-MS [Google Scholar]
  4. Dupuis, G., Rousseau, D., Tabary, R., & Grassl, B.
    , 2011. Injectivity of Hydrophobically Modified Water Soluble Polymers for IOR: Controlled Resistance Factors vs. Flow-Induced Gelation. Paper SPE 140779 presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry. The Woodlands, TX. 11 – 13 April.doi:10.2118/140779‑MS
    https://doi.org/10.2118/140779-MS [Google Scholar]
  5. Koh, H.
    2015. Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Polymers on Residual Oil Saturation. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Texas at Austin
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Lake, L.W.
    , 1989, Enhanced Oil Recovery, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Prentice Hall
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Lee, S., Kim, D. H., Huh, C., & Pope, G. A.
    Development of a Comprehensive Rheological Property Database for EOR Polymers. Paper SPE 124798 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, LA. 4–7 October. doi:10.2118/124798‑MS
    https://doi.org/10.2118/124798-MS [Google Scholar]
  8. Levitt, D.
    2009. The Optimal Use of Enhanced Oil Recovery Polymers Under Hostile Conditions. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Texas at Austin
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Moe Soe Let, K. P., Manichand, R. N., & Seright, R. S.
    2012. Polymer Flooding ~ 500-cp Oil. Paper SPE 154567 presented at Eighteenth SPE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium, Tulsa, OK. 14– 18 April. doi:10.2118/154567‑MS
    https://doi.org/10.2118/154567-MS [Google Scholar]
  10. Morel, D. C., Jouenne, S., VERT, M., & Nahas, E.
    2008. Polymer Injection in Deep Offshore Field: The Dalia Angola Case. Paper SPE 116672 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Denver, CO. 21–24 September. doi:10.2118/116672‑MS
    https://doi.org/10.2118/116672-MS [Google Scholar]
  11. Pandey, A., Suresh Kumar, M., Jha, M. K., Tandon, R., Punnapully, B., Kalugin, M. A., Beliveau, D.
    2012. Chemical EOR Pilot in Mangala Field: Results of initial Polymer Flood Phase. Paper SPE 154159 presented at the Eighteenth SPE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium, Tulsa, OK. 14– 18 April. doi:10.2118/154159‑MS
    https://doi.org/10.2118/154159-MS [Google Scholar]
  12. Prasad, D., Pandey, A., Suresh Kumar, M., & Koduru, N.
    2014. Pilot to Full-field Polymer Application in One of the Largest Onshore Field in India. Paper SPE 169146 presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium, Tulsa, OK. 12 – 16 April doi:10.2118/169146‑MS
    https://doi.org/10.2118/169146-MS [Google Scholar]
  13. Reichenbach-Klinke, R., Stavland, A., Langlotz, B., Wenzke, B., & Brodt, G
    , 2013. New Insights into the Mechanism of Mobility Reduction by Associative Type Copolymers. Paper SPE 165225 presented at the SPE Enhanced Oil Recovery Conference, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. 2–4 July doi:10.2118/165225‑MS
    https://doi.org/10.2118/165225-MS [Google Scholar]
  14. Reichenbach-Klinke, R., Langlotz, B., Wenzke, B., Spindler, C., & Brodt, G.
    , 2011. Associative Copolymer with Favorable Properties for the Application in Polymer Flooding. Paper SPE 141107 presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry. The Woodlands, TX. 11 – 13 April. doi:10.2118/141107‑MS
    https://doi.org/10.2118/141107-MS [Google Scholar]
  15. Seright, R. S., Fan, T., Wavrik, K. E., Wan, H., Gaillard, N., & Favero, C.
    , 2011. Rheology of a New Sulfonic Associative Polymer in Porous Media. Paper SPE 141355 presented at the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry. The Woodlands, TX. 11 – 13 April. doi:10.2118/141355‑MS
    https://doi.org/10.2118/141355-MS [Google Scholar]
  16. Tripathi, A., Tam, K.C., McKinley, G.H.
    , 2006. Rheology and dynamics of associative polymers in shear and extension:Theory and experiements, Macromolecules, 39(5), pp 1981–1999
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.201700315
Loading
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.201700315
Loading

Data & Media loading...

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error