Optimization of the Plugging Agent Dosage for High Temperature Salt Profile Control in Heavy Oil Reservoirs

Abstract

After steam discharge in heavy oil reservoirs, the distribution of temperature, pressure, and permeability in different wells becomes irregular. Flow channels can easily be produced, which affect the sweep efficiency of the oil displacement. Previous studies have shown that the salting-out plugging method can effectively block these channels in high-temperature reservoirs, improve the suction profile, and increase oil production. In the present study, the optimal dosage of the plugging agent is determined taking into account connection transmissibility and interwell volumes. Together with the connectivity model, a water flooding simulation model is introduced. Moreover, a non-gradient stochastic disturbance algorithm is used to obtain the optimal plugging agent dosage, which provides the basis for the high-temperature salting-out plugging agent adjustment in the field.

Experimental Water Activity Suppression and Numerical Simulation of Shale Pore Blocking

“…The flow of drilling fluid between fractures can interact with minerals, and reactants may precipitate, causing blockages or dissolve and creating new paths [7,8]. Consequently, inorganic salt and plugging agents are commonly employed to mitigate hydration and seal porous formations [9][10][11][12].…”