Developing Nanocomposite Gels from Biopolymers for Leakage Control in Oil and Gas Wells

Abstract

Crosslinked polymer gels have been widely used to overcome water and gas coning problem in the petroleum industry. Recently, nanoparticles are identified to have a potential of reinforcing the polymer gel systems by improving physical bonding and heat transfer properties in the gel structure. In this study, silicon dioxide and aluminium oxide nanoparticles were introduced to xanthan gum polymers that were crosslinked by chromium (III) acetate, to create polymeric nanocomposite gels with higher shear strengths. The gelation time and gel strength have been selected as main parameters to evaluate the effect of nanoparticle types and concentrations on the nanocomposite gels performance. The gelation time is measured until the onset of gelation or the moment when apparent viscosity starts to increase at 60°C. The gel strength is represented by the storage modulus (G’) after 24 hours of gelation at 60°C. Both parameters were measured by a rheometer, through constant shear rate and oscillatory tests respectively. The addition of 1000 and 10000 ppm of silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles into a solution of 6000 ppm xanthan gum polymers that are crosslinked with 50000 ppm chromium (III) acetate caused insignificant changes in gelation time. Similar result was also reported when 1000 and 10000 ppm of aluminium oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles was introduced into the polymer system. This suggests that when SiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles are introduced to xanthan/chromium (III) Acetate system for field application, no additives would be required to prolong or shorten gelation time to counter the nanoparticles addition. To analyse the gel strengths, the results from the oscillatory test were averaged throughout the frequency range, and it was shown that the addition of SiO2 nanoparticles decreases the average storage modulus from 75.1 Pa without nanoparticles, to 72.3 Pa at the nanoparticles concentration of 1000 ppm. However, the average storage modulus increased to 83.0 Pa and 94.7 Pa at higher nanoparticles SiO2 concentrations of 5000 ppm and 10000 ppm. The same trend was observed for the nanocomposite gels that were produced by Al2O3 nanoparticles. Similarly, the storage modulus decreased initially to 70.8 Pa at the concentration of 1000 ppm, then it increased to 89.9 Pa and 109.4 Pa at nanoparticles concentrations of 5000 pm and 10000 ppm, respectively. Hence, the nanoparticle-enhanced biopolymer gels showed insignificant changes of gelation time, and at the same time, they demonstrated up to 45% improvements in the gel strength properties when the nanoparticles concentration is higher than 5000 ppm. In conclusion, the nanocomposite gels demonstrated reinforced bonding properties and showed higher gel strengths that can make them good candidates for leakage prevention from gas wells and blocking of water encroachments from aquifers into the wells.

Progress and Prospects of In Situ Polymer Gels for Sealing Operation in Wellbore and Near-Well Zone

“…Figure d clearly shows that the “holes” in the gel network gradually disappear after the addition of Cr 3+ , while the “holes” in the gel reappear after the addition of LSM. Yudhowijoyo et al similarly found that the average storage modulus of the gels decreased with the addition of 1000 ppm of SiO 2 to the XC/Cr 3+ system. Kang et al suggested that the LSM adsorbed on the polymer chains and hindered the formation of multistage networks and entanglements.…”

“…Yudhowijoyo et al 124 similarly found that the average storage modulus of the gels decreased with the addition of 1000 ppm of SiO 2 to the XC/Cr 3+ system. Kang et al 125 suggested that the LSM adsorbed on the polymer chains and hindered the formation of multistage networks and entanglements.…”

Phase behavior of colloidal nanoparticles and their enhancement effect on the rheological properties of polymer solutions and gels

“…Besides, several papers claimed that the strength and thermal stability of polymer-based gels may be signicantly improved by the addition of nanoparticles. [28][29][30][31][32][33] Referring to the underlying mechanism, most of the previous studies focused on the interactions, particularly the hydrogen bonds, between the polymer chains and the nanoparticle surface. However, others argued that the weak interactions were inadequate to make such improvements.…”

Повышение Эффективности Глушения Нефтяных Скважин На Месторождениях Волго-Уральской Нефтегазоносной Провинции С Аномально Низкими Пластовыми Давлениями

“…Перед непосредственным проведением ремонта скважину необходимо заглушить. Таким образом, осложнения, возникающие при глушении скважин, являются актуальной проблемой для каждой нефтегазодобывающей компании [1,2].…”