Field Application of a New In-Depth Waterflood Conformance Improvement Tool

Pritchett, James; Harry, Frampton; Brinkman, Joe; Cheung, Steve; Jim, Morgan; Chang, Kin-Tai; Williams, Dennis; Goodgame, James

doi:10.2523/84897-ms

Cited by 9 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…A mathematical model of microsphere particle size and reservoir throat was established using Weibull distribution function, and corrected it by integrating reservoir heterogeneity and microsphere flow characteristics. James et al believe that the optimal ratio of particle size to pore throat is 1/10 (James et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Matching method between nanoparticle displacement agent size and pore throat in low permeability reservoir

Wu,

Zhao,

Zhang

et al. 2023

Front. Chem.

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Nano-particles possess desirable attributes such as small particle size, excellent injectivity, and migration performance, making them highly compatible and adaptable for addressing the water flooding requirements of the low-permeability oil reservoir. When selecting an oil displacement agent for enhancing water flooding and improving oil recovery, factors such as injectivity and migration need to be carefully considered. In this study, through a comprehensive analysis of the mechanism and technical characteristics of nano-particle oil displacement agents, the plugging and profile control mechanisms recognized by the mainstream of nano-particles are elucidated. By examining various elements including outcrop fractures, natural micro-fractures, artificial support fractures, and dynamic monitoring data, a reevaluation of the dominant channel scale governing water drive in low permeability reservoirs is conducted, thereby defining the target entities for profile control and flooding operations. Drawing upon Darcy’s percolation law and leveraging enhanced oil recovery techniques based on the classical Kozeny equation, a profile control and flooding mechanism is proposed that focuses on increasing the specific surface area of polymer particles while simultaneously reducing reservoir permeability. This innovative approach establishes a novel matching method between nano-polymer particles and the diverse media found within the reservoir. Lastly, the application of nanoparticle flooding technology in Changqing Oilfield is presented, highlighting its practical implementation and benefits.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Matching method between nanoparticle displacement agent size and pore throat in low permeability reservoir

Wu,

Zhao,

Zhang

et al. 2023

Front. Chem.

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New Attempt in Improving Sweep Efficiency at the Mature Koluel Kaike and Piedra Clavada Waterflooding Projects of the S. Jorge Basin in Argentina

Yanez¹,

Mustoni²,

Frampton

et al. 2007

Latin American &Amp; Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference

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Proposal Most of the mature waterflood projects at the San Jorge Basin have been affected by two main problems, poor displacement and sweep efficiencies, both have limited the recovery factor achievable. This paper presents a field trial of a new reactive particulate system in an attempt to improve this volumetric sweep efficiency. This particulate system is being used to treat selected injectors operated by Pan American Energy in the Koluel Kaike and Piedra Clavada fields, located in the southern part of Argentina. The main purpose of this field trial is to demonstrate the ability of the new system to improve oil recovery by diversion of injected water into the poorly swept zones around the thief zone or streaks. This state-of-the-art technology is able to propagate deep into thief zones and has a novel mechanism of action to overcome the observed limitations in conventional polymer flooding and gel processes. The particles are manufactured having properties which allow it to propagate through porous media with the injection water. Once in the reservoir and under the influence of heat the particle expands to a size that can block pore throats, so water injected after treatment is diverted into less efficiently swept zones. The paper will describe in detail the mechanism and selection criteria of reservoirs and wells to apply the mentioned IOR technology. Theoretical and practical issues involved at the design of the application, as well as operational and logistics aspects will be also included. Finally, it will include the updated information available from the ongoing pilot tests. Introduction Koluel Kaike and Piedra Clavada fields are located at the Southern flank of the San Jorge Gulf Basin, in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina (Figure 1). Figure 1. Koluel Kaike and Piedra Clavada Areas Location Plat Both fields are currently being operated by Pan American Energy and together with Cerro Dragon Field form one of PAE's Business Units. These two fields were discovered in early 1960s and exploited under primary depletion up to mid 1980s. Since this date, a massive waterflooding process has been initiated to increase the relatively poor primary recovery. It has involved about 220 injectors, with an operation rate of 250 cmpd (1600 bwpd) per injector, affecting 500 producers. Through the 20 years of waterfloood operation a total of 300 million cubic metres (1900 million barrels) of water have been injected and resulted in an incremental recovery estimated as 12 million cubic metres (75 million barrels) of oil, through December 2006 (Figure 2 & Figure 3). This mature waterflood project, as any other of the San Jorge Basin, has been affected by both main problems that have limited the recovery factor achievable. These are the poor displacement and sweep efficiency, characteristic of the San Jorge Basin reservoirs.

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Incremental Oil Success From Waterflood Sweep Improvement in Alaska

Ohms¹,

McLeod²,

Graff³

et al. 2009

SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry

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TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractWaterflood thief zones in communication with the rest of the reservoir are a severe and previously challenging problem. This paper gives an introduction to the nature of a novel, heat-activated polymer particulate. Details of a trial of this in-depth diversion system, resulting in commercially significant incremental oil from a BP Alaskan field are presented. The system of one injector and two producers was selected because of a high water oil ratio and low recovery factor, which was recognized as an indicator of the presence of an injection water thief zone and confirmed by study of a previous injection survey. The area around the wells is bounded by faults so the system can be considered to be isolated from surrounding wells and operations. The position of the thermal front in the reservoir, tracer transit times, injection rates and inter-well separations indicated that the slowest reacting of the three commercial grades available was most appropriate for the trial.The treatment was designed using laboratory tests, and numerical simulation informed by pressure and chemical tracer tests. Long sandpack tests indicated permeability reduction factors of 11 to 350 for concentrations of 1500 to 3500 ppm active particles in sand of 560 to 670 mD permeability at 149°F. 15,587 gallons of particulate product was dispersed, using 8,060 gallons of dispersing surfactant, into 38,000 barrels of injected water and pumped over 3 weeks at a concentration of 3300 ppm active particles.Placement deep in the reservoir between injector and producer was confirmed by pressure fall off analysis and injectivity tests. The incremental oil predicted from the simulation was 50,000 to 250,000 bbl over 10 years. In fact over 60,000 barrels of oil was recovered in the first 4 years at a cost comparable with traditional well work and less than sidetracking. Bright Water injectionMixing surfactant : EC 9360A

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Field Application of a New In-Depth Waterflood Conformance Improvement Tool

Cited by 9 publications

References 0 publications

Matching method between nanoparticle displacement agent size and pore throat in low permeability reservoir

Matching method between nanoparticle displacement agent size and pore throat in low permeability reservoir

New Attempt in Improving Sweep Efficiency at the Mature Koluel Kaike and Piedra Clavada Waterflooding Projects of the S. Jorge Basin in Argentina

Incremental Oil Success From Waterflood Sweep Improvement in Alaska

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