Conformance Improvement by Using High Temperature Foams and Gels

Abstract

The use of foanfl to divert the steam from the swept zone has been extensively tested both in the laboratory and the field_ On the other hand, gels for plugging unproductive zones have mostly been considered for conventional or relatively low temperature applications. The objectives of this study were the development of strategies for improving the long-distance propagation of foam in the reservoir and evaluation of gels for near-well applications in thermal recovery operations.The major limitations to the growth of the foam zone include the inefficiencies in foam generation and poor bubble transport. Flow experiments were carried out in sand packs at steamflood conditions to develop strategies for improving foam generation by a pre-foam reduction of residual saturation in the swept zone. The results showed that the pre-foam concept could be used with small slugs of low interfacial tension chemical or solvents to substantially improve the rate of foam propagation.References and illustrations at end of paper..