Polymer gels can be effectively applied
to plug fractured reservoirs
and carbonate cave strata. Herein, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), acrylamide,
and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) were used
as raw materials to prepare interpenetrating three-dimensional network
polymer gels using formation saltwater in the Tahe oilfield (Tarim
Basin, NW China) as a solvent. The effect of AMPS concentration on
the gelation properties of PVA in high-temperature formation saltwater
was analyzed. Further, the effect of PVA concentration on the strength
and viscoelastic properties of polymer gel was studied. The polymer
gel could retain stable continuous entanglement at 130 °C and
exhibited satisfactory thermal stability. Continuous step oscillation
frequency tests showed that it exhibited an excellent self-healing
performance. Scanning electron microscopy images of the simulated
core by gel plugging showed that the polymer gel could firmly fill
the porous media, indicating that the polymer gel exhibits excellent
application prospects in oil and gas reservoirs under high-temperature
and high-salinity conditions.