The Research on Cross-linking Polymer Gel as In-depth Profile Control Agent

Abstract

Polymer flooding is one of the most important techniques for enhancing petroleum recovery in China. After the polymer is injected into the petroleum formation reservoir, the producing water ratio quickly increases, while some polymer remains in the petroleum reservoir formation. To make use of the residual polymer, the mixture of polymer and cross-linking agent is injected into the petroleum reservoir formation, and then the chemical mixture will change into a gel that can shut off high permeability petroleum formation. The method can enhance the sweep efficiency of the following water. The gel, as the profile control agent, is cross-linked by the polymer compound and cross-linking agent. The gelation time is qualitatively determined, and the gel strength is quantitatively measured by a breakthrough vacuum method. The gelation time is adjustable from 1 to 20 days, and the gel strength is adjustable from 0.030 MPa to 0.060 MPa. Experimental results indicate that the suitable gel is about 0.1 PV (pore volume), for the proper chemical agent will avoid the petroleum reservoir formation being destroyed. The research shows that the gel as in-depth profile control agent is an effective enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method.

Keywords:

• enhance oil recovery (EOR)
• gel
• in-depth profile control agent
• polymer flooding
• visual model

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work is carried out as a part of the program “Research on Enhanced Oil Recovery after Polymer Flooding,” and is supported by China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, which is the second largest oil production corporation of China. The authors are grateful for the financial support.