Laboratory Evaluation of High-Temperature Conformance Polymer Systems (2003)

Laboratory Evaluation of High-Temperature Conformance olymer Systems Julio Vasquez; Julio Vasquez The University of Oklahoma Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Faruk Civan; Faruk Civan The University of Oklahoma Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Thomas M. Shaw; Thomas M. Shaw The University of Oklahoma Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar E. Dwyann Dalrymple; E. Dwyann Dalrymple Halliburton Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Larry Eoff; Larry Eoff Halliburton Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar B.R. Reddy; B.R. Reddy Halliburton Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar David Brown David Brown Halliburton Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the SPE Production and Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, March 2003. Paper Number: SPE-80904-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/80904-MS Published: March 23 2003 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Vasquez, Julio, Civan, Faruk, Shaw, Thomas M., Dalrymple, E. Dwyann, Eoff, Larry, Reddy, B.R., and David Brown. "Laboratory Evaluation of High-Temperature Conformance olymer Systems." Paper presented at the SPE Production and Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, March 2003. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/80904-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE Oklahoma City Oil and Gas Symposium / Production and Operations Symposium Search Advanced Search AbstractThis paper presents the results of laboratory evaluation regarding the effectiveness of novel, organically crosslinked, high-temperature, conformance polymer gel systems as sealants. Effectiveness of these sealant gels is evaluated by attempting water flow through high-permeability cores under residual oil conditions. The effectiveness of the sealants toblock water permeability at temperatures up to 350°F,provide long-term sealant properties at these temperatures, andprovide adequate gel time for placement is measured.The ultimate goal is to determine whether the selected crosslinked polymer systems provide useable extended gel times and maintain thermal stability to 350°F.Discussed arethe physical laboratory model and test conditions used to perform dynamic core flow studies over extended periods in determining the impact of sealant exposure to elevated temperatures and subsequent required modifications,experimental procedure used for dynamic core flow studies,the effect of temperature on permeability reduction over time,the impact of threshold pressure (differential pressure required before fluid flow begins through a treated core) on permeability reduction over time,laboratory methodology used for gelation time measurement of a new, novel, organically crosslinked, high-temperature, conformance polymer gel system, andlaboratory results regarding gelation time of the polymer system as a function of temperature up to 350°F.IntroductionExcessive water production from hydrocarbon reservoirs is one of the most serious problems in the oil industry. Remediation techniques for controlling water production, generally referred to as conformance control, include the use of polymer systems to reduce or plug permeability to water. This paper mainly discusses water control in high-temperature environments for treating hydrocarbon-producing wells to reduce water production for applications in which water and hydrocarbon zones are clearly separated.The principle of operation of this technique is to pump the polymer system into the formation around the wellbore and then propagate through the rock matrix. In-situ gelation takes place, plugging pore spaces and channels, thereby limiting undesired water flow. Then, a permanent barrier strategically placed only in the water zone is formed because the oil- and water-producing zones can be mechanically isolated.Literature ReviewA variety of techniques for controlling water production have been attempted by the oil industry. Earlier attempts to reduce water production included mechanical isolation, squeeze cementing, solid slurry (clay) injection, and oil/water emulsion and silicate injection. More successful results have been obtained with in-situ polymerized systems, crosslinked polymeric solutions, and silicate-based gels.1Polymer gel systems have emerged over the last decade as one of the most effective tools for controlling water production. One of the most widely used polymer systems employs polyacrylamides (PAMs) or acrylamide co-polymer and chromium [Cr(III)] as a crosslinker.2 Cr(III) has been extensively used because of its high success rate and relatively low cost. However, the short gelation times of this system at elevated temperature limit their application to lower temperature reservoirs.3 Other problems with this system include thermal stability, unpredictable gel times, gel instability in the presence of chemical species that are potential ligands, toxicity concerns, and limited propagation into the target pore volume.4 Another polymer system widely used is a water-based gel based on phenol/formaldehyde crosslinker for homo-, co-, and ter-polymer systems containing acrylamide. The loss of phenol by partitioning into the crude oil that it contacts has been identified as an important issue for this polymer system.5 Toxicity issues associated with formaldehyde and phenol need to be overcome as well. Keywords: enhanced recovery, correspond, permeability reduction, placement, effective permeability, permeability, experiment, polymer system, laboratory evaluation, flow in porous media Subjects: Reservoir Fluid Dynamics, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Flow in porous media This content is only available via PDF. 2003. Society of Petroleum Engineers You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.