Comprehensive review on the research and field application of preformed particle gel conformance control technology

Esfahlan, Mina Seidy; Khodapanah, Elnaz; Tabatabaei‐Nezhad, Seyyed Alireza

doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2021.108440

Cited by 51 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…There are several approaches for PAM application in mature reservoirs: polymer flooding [ 18 , 19 , 20 ], bulk gels [ 21 , 22 ], preformed particle gels [ 17 , 23 ], and their combinations. The following comprehensive reviews are dedicated to polymer gels systems, including preformed particle gels and its application for enhanced oil recovery [ 17 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are now more than 10,000 successful cases of its application [ 28 ]. It has allowed to overcome many difficulties and drawbacks of other PAM-application-based methods [ 25 ]. Experts developing this technology admit the following advantages: high selectivity: particles preferentially enter fractures and fracture-like channels and are unable to penetrate to low permeable oil saturated zones; simplicity of treatment: the suspension is usually prepared using only water (any available water with a wide salt concentration range is acceptable) and PPG; particles are easily dispersed in water; PPG properties: particles can be assigned their strength and size during synthesis on the surface; PPG particles have predictable properties in reservoir conditions due to their three-dimensional structure, while hydrogel particles are stable up to 120 °C [ 15 , 18 , 28 , 29 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Problem Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Review of Microgels for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Properties and Cases of Application

Ketova

Burin

Galkin

et al. 2022

Gels

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In todays’ world, there is an increasing number of mature oil fields every year, a phenomenon that is leading to the development of more elegant enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies that are potentially effective for reservoir profile modification. The technology of conformance control using crosslinked microgels is one the newest trends that is gaining momentum every year. This is due to the simplicity of the treatment process and its management, as well as the guaranteed effect in the case of the correct well candidate selection. We identified the following varieties of microgels: microspheres, thermo- and pH-responsible microgels, thin fracture of preformed particle gels, colloidal dispersed gels. In this publication, we try to combine the available chemical aspects of microgel production with the practical features of their application at oil production facilities. The purpose of this publication is to gather available information about microgels (synthesis method, monomers) and to explore world experience in microgel application for enhanced oil recovery. This article will be of great benefit to specialists engaged in polymer technologies at the initial stage of microgel development.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Review of Microgels for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Properties and Cases of Application

Ketova

Burin

Galkin

et al. 2022

Gels

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“…The main advantage of ground crosslinked polymer gels is their ability to migrate at depth, while in situ crosslinked polymer gels have advantages of suitable mechanical strength and temperature resistance. Because both have advantages and disadvantages, the appropriate crosslinking system should be selected according to the specific field conditions [ 12 , 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Types and Performances of Polymer Gels for Oil-Gas Drilling and Production: A Review

Lei

Sun

et al. 2022

Gels

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Polymer gels with suitable viscoelasticity and deformability have been widely used for formation plugging and lost circulation control, profile control, and water shutoff. This article systematically reviews the research progress on the preparation principle, temperature resistance, salt resistance, and mechanical properties of the ground and in situ crosslinked polymer gels for oil-gas drilling and production engineering. Then, it comparatively analyzes the applicable conditions of the two types of polymer gel. To expand the application range of polymer gels in response to the harsh formation environments (e.g., high temperature and high salinity), we reviewed strategies for increasing the high temperature resistance, high salt resistance, and rheological/mechanical strengths of polymer gels. This article provides theoretical and technical references for developing and optimizing polymer gels suitable for oil-gas drilling and production.

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“…Micrometer-sized hydrogel particles were tested to solve the excessive water production problem. ,− The propagation behavior is important to determine the effectiveness of the gel treatment. ,− Meanwhile, however, the propagation is a complicated process due to the complex flow pathways in porous channels and the deformable nature of the particles. In field applications of gel treatments, the injection pressure is limited as the bottom hole pressure is usually constrained below the fracturing or parting pressure of the formation. ,− On the other hand, the gel materials should transport a certain distance away from the wellbore to achieve a satisfactory conformance control performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Propagation of Swellable Microgels through Superpermeable Channels: Impact of Particle–Pore Matching Size Relationship

et al. 2021

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Excessive water production during fossil fuel extraction causes worldwide environmental and economic challenges. Micrometer-sized hydrogel particles were tested to solve the problem. Propagation behavior of the microgel particles in superpermeable channels (i.e., target locations of the particles) plays a key role in the effectiveness of the technology. The impact of the particle–pore matching size relationship was systematically studied. Microgel dispersions were injected into superpermeable channels (55–221 darcies, mimicked with sand packs). We observed that a critical (minimum) pressure gradient (∇P cr) was required to drive the gel particles to propagate through the channels. Below ∇P cr, the gels could not transport in the porous channels. The existence of the ∇P cr was confirmed with gel injection experiments carried out in constant-injection-pressure mode. The particle-to-pore matching size ratio (MSR) had a significant impact on the ∇P cr. The ∇P cr increased exponentially with the MSR at relatively low MSRs (<2). The ∇P cr was lower than 60 psi/ft. A correlation was proposed to describe the ∇P cr–MSR relationship in the superpermeable channels. Diagrams were developed to estimate the maximum propagation distance of the gels in channels in conceptual field applications. At low MSRs, the gel particles could transport a significant distance away from the wellbore, which was favorable for in-depth conformance treatments. At high MSRs, the transport distance of the gel particles was limited, which was favorable for near-wellbore treatments. The transport-distance diagrams can help engineers select proper gel products to address water channeling problems in reservoirs. Also, this work provides an effective procedure to study the impact of other parameters (e.g., dispersion concentration and gel strength) on the propagation distance of gel materials.

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Comprehensive review on the research and field application of preformed particle gel conformance control technology

Cited by 51 publications

References 76 publications

Review of Microgels for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Properties and Cases of Application

Review of Microgels for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Properties and Cases of Application

Types and Performances of Polymer Gels for Oil-Gas Drilling and Production: A Review

Propagation of Swellable Microgels through Superpermeable Channels: Impact of Particle–Pore Matching Size Relationship

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