Dynamic gel-forming properties of cardanol modified phenolic resin gel system in long snake-like simulation core with heterogeneity matching actual reservoir conditions

ABSTRACT

Gel system consisting of polymer and phenolic resin cross-linker commonly used for water shutoff is not environmentally friendly enough, and the homogeneity of the simulation core has important influence on the experimental results for evaluating the gel properties in the laboratory. In this paper, a modified cross-linker was obtained by substituting cardanol for phenol in the conventional cross-linker. Environmentally-friendly gel was prepared with polymer and cardanol modified cross-linker. A long snakelike core physical simulation system with multiple nonvolatile fluid sampling ports and core sampling ports was developed by connecting curved sand-packed pipes with straight pipes, and it was used to evaluate the dynamic gel-forming properties of the modified gel. The results showed that the strength and stability of the modified gel were not inferior to those of conventional gel. By intelligently controlling the applied force, the long snakelike core had a heterogeneity that matched the actual formation conditions. When injecting gel-forming solution using modified cross-linker into the snakelike core with porosity of 37.6% and permeability of 16.98 μm², as the increase of the distance between the sampling port and the injection end, the viscosity of the system formed by placing the sampled gel-forming solution at 45°C for 24 hours decreased but remained consistently above 1000 mPa·s. The gel-forming solution could still form gel dynamically after migrating to 10.2 meters, thereby achieving effective plugging. The proposed long core in this work is helpful to study whether the gel systems can dynamically regulate the deep part of the reservoir, providing guidance for improving the macroscopic application properties of cardanol modified gel and promoting sustainable development for oilfields.

KEYWORDS:

• environmentally friendly gel
• cardanol modified cross-linker
• gel-forming properties
• long-distance core
• heterogeneity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jianxun Meng

Meng Jianxun (1982), male, senior engineer of Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute. He has a master degree and He is currently studying for his PhD in Northeast Petroleum University. He is mainly engaged in the research of pharmaceutical synthesis for oilfield chemistry, address: 163453, Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute, No. 2 Xiliu Street, Ranghulu District, Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, China, E-mail: [email protected].

Meng Cai

Cai Meng, male, professor of engineering of Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute, doctoral degree, mainly engaged in the research of oil production engineering theory and technology. address: 163453, Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute, No.2 Xiliu Street, Ranghulu District, Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, China, E-mail: [email protected].

Zhixuan Zhu

Zhu Zhixuan (1997), female, Assistant engineer of Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute, master degree, mainly engaged in the research of chemical enhanced oil recovery, address: 163453, Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute, No.2 Xiliu Street, Ranghulu District, Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, China, E-mail: [email protected].

Xuesong Lin

Lin Xuesong, male, intermediate engineer of Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute, master degree, mainly engaged in the research of pharmaceutical synthesis for oilfield chemistry. address: 163453, Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute, No.2 Xiliu Street, Ranghulu District, Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, China, E-mail: [email protected].

Qingguo Wang

Wang Qingguo, male, professor of engineering of Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute, doctoral degree, mainly engaged in the research on the development of auxiliaries in oilfields. address: 163453, Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute, No.2 Xiliu Street, Ranghulu District, Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, China, E-mail: [email protected].

Hongzhi Shang

Shang Hongzhi, male, senior engineer of engineering of Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute, bachelor degree, mainly engaged in the research on physical simulation experiment in core. address: 163453, Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute, No.2 Xiliu Street, Ranghulu District, Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, China, E-mail: [email protected].

Lichao Wang

Wang Lichao, male, intermediate engineer of engineering of Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute, bachelor degree, mainly engaged in the research on evaluation of properties of oilfield chemicals. address: 163453, Daqing Oilfield Oil Production Engineering Research Institute, No.2 Xiliu Street, Ranghulu District, Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, China, E-mail: [email protected].