Experimental Investigation and Correlation of Thermal Effects on Near-Wellbore Formation Treatment by Gel Particles

Abstract

The plugging and permeability impairment processes involved in the treatment and conditioning of high permeability porous formations is investigated at various temperatures by flowing of a suspension of gel particles through unconsolidated proppant packs. The permeability reduction and resistance factor are inferred by measurements of the pressure differentials with time across the proppant pack. Temperature effect is observed to be an important factor in suspended gel treatment of high permeability near-wellbore zones because temperature affects the gel properties and placement rate processes significantly. The effective mechanisms of the consecutive plugging and unplugging processes occurring during the flow of gel particles suspension through the proppant pack are identified and the best-estimate values of their rate coefficients are determined. The laboratory measurements of the viscosity, differential pressure, permeability reduction, and resistance factor are correlated successfully as functions of temperature. Various empirical correlations of practical importance developed in this work can be used for effective design of the suspended gel particles treatment in weak and highly permeable near-wellbore formations. These correlations can predict the effect of temperature on conditioning of the high permeability and weak formations by injection of suspension of gel particles.