Potential for Polymer Flooding Reservoirs with Viscous Oils

Seright, R.S.

doi:10.2118/129899-pa

Cited by 143 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…5 through 7 show results from polymer floods with 10-, 40-, or 100-cp polymer. These results are quite in line with expectations (Seright 2010). When displacing 10-cp oil (Fig.…”

Section: Effect Of Oil Viscositysupporting

confidence: 92%

A Comparison of Polymer Flooding With In-Depth Profile Modification

Seright

Zhang

Akanni

et al. 2012

Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology

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For stratified reservoirs with free crossflow and where fractures do not cause severe channeling, improved sweep is often needed after water breakthrough. For moderately viscous oils, polymer flooding is an option for this type of reservoir. However, in recent years, an in-depth profile-modification method has been commercialized in which a block is placed in the high-permeability zone(s). This sophisticated idea requires that (1) the blocking agent have a low viscosity (ideally a unit-mobility displacement) during placement, that (2) the rear of the blocking-agent bank in the high-permeability zone(s) outrun the front of the blockingagent bank in adjacent less-permeable zones, and that (3) an effective block to flow form at the appropriate location in the high-permeability zone(s). Achieving these objectives is challenging but has been accomplished in at least one field test. This paper investigates when this in-depth profile-modification process is a superior choice over conventional polymer flooding.Using simulation and analytical studies, we examined oilrecovery efficiency for the two processes as a function of (1) permeability contrast, (2) relative zone thickness, (3) oil viscosity, (4) polymer-solution viscosity, (5) polymer-or blocking-agent-bank size, and (6) relative costs for polymer vs. blocking agent. The results reveal that in-depth profile modification is most appropriate for high permeability contrasts (e.g., 10:1), high thickness ratios (e.g., less-permeable zones being 10 times thicker than high-permeability zones), and relatively low oil viscosities. Because of the high cost of the blocking agent relative to conventional polymers, economics favours small blocking-agent-bank sizes (e.g., 5% of the pore volume in the high-permeability layer). Even though short-term economics may favour in-depth profile modification, ultimate recovery may be considerably less than from a traditional polymer flood.

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“…5 through 7 show results from polymer floods with 10-, 40-, or 100-cp polymer. These results are quite in line with expectations (Seright 2010). When displacing 10-cp oil (Fig.…”

Section: Effect Of Oil Viscositysupporting

confidence: 92%

A Comparison of Polymer Flooding With In-Depth Profile Modification

Seright

Zhang

Akanni

et al. 2012

Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology

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“…Now, PF is attracting researchers around the world due to depletion of oil reserves, high crude oil prices, technological advancements, and the availability of chemicals at relatively low price. [189][190][191] For example, forty years back oil prices were $3/bbl and polymer cost was 1.5/lb USD. However, currently the oil price is around $100/bbl while the polymer prices have remained the same.…”

Section: Current Laboratory and Field Work And Future Lookmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review on Polymer Flooding: Rheology, Adsorption, Stability, and Field Applications of Various Polymer Systems

Kamal¹,

Sultan²,

et al. 2015

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Polymer flooding is one of the most promising techniques for the recovery of remaining oil from light oil reservoirs. Water soluble polymers are used to enhance the viscosity of displacing fluid and to improve the sweep efficiency. In this paper, water soluble polymers used for chemical enhanced oil recovery are reviewed. Conventional and novel modified polymers are discussed along with their limitations. The review covers thermal stability, rheology, and adsorption behavior of various polymer systems in sandstone and carbonate reservoirs. Field and laboratory core flooding data of several polymers are covered. The review describes the polymer systems that are successfully applied in low-temperature and low-salinity reservoirs. Comprehensive review of current research activities aiming at extending polymer flooding to high-temperature and high-salinity reservoirs is performed. The review has identified current and future challenges of polymer flooding.

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“…Chemical enhanced oil recovery (cEOR) is one of the techniques employed to oil reservoirs to recover the remaining oil which cannot be recovered by primary recovery. A number of chemical flooding methods were reported in the literature, such as surfactant [2][3][4][5], polymer [6][7][8], alkali [9], surfactant/polymer [10][11][12][13] and alkali/surfactant/polymer [14,15]. Chemical methods are utilized to increase the viscosity of displacing fluid for better mobility control, to increase the sweep efficiency and to reduce the interfacial tension (IFT) between water and crude oil.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%