Preparation and Characterization of Preformed Polyelectrolyte and Polyampholyte Gel Particles for Plugging of High-Permeability Porous Media

Abstract

Excessive reservoir water poses significant challenges in the oil and gas industry by diminishing hydrocarbon recovery efficiency and generating environmental and economic complications. Conventional polymer flooding techniques, although beneficial, often prove inadequate under conditions of elevated temperature and salinity, highlighting the need for more resilient materials. In this research, two types of acrylamide-based preformed particle gels (PPGs) were synthesized, as follows: polyelectrolyte and polyampholyte. These PPGs were engineered to improve plugging efficiency and endure extreme reservoir environments. The polyelectrolyte gels were synthesized using acrylamide (AAm) and sodium acrylate (SA), while the polyampholyte gels incorporated AAm, AMPS, and APTAC, with crosslinking achieved through MBAA. The swelling properties, modulated by temperature, salinity, and pH, were evaluated using the Ritger–Peppas and Yavari–Azizian models. The mechanical characteristics and surface morphology of the gels were analyzed using SEM and BET techniques. In sand pack experiments designed to mimic high-permeability reservoirs, the inclusion of 0.5 wt.% of fine PPGs substantially reduced water permeability, outperforming traditional hydrogels. Notably, the polyampholyte PPGs demonstrated superior resilience and efficacy in plugging. However, the experiments were limited by the low test temperature (25 °C) and brine salinity (26.6 g/L). Future investigations will aim to apply these PPGs in high-temperature, fractured carbonate reservoirs.