Increased Oil Recovery by Application of Plasma Pulse Treatment

Abstract

Advanced technology of increased hydrocarbons recovery – Plasma Pulse Treatment (PPT) is presented. The explanation of physical impact on the reservoir is given. Examples of laboratory studies and field-testing observed. The physical bases of the PPT are periodic pulses of equal strength, spaced with equal time intervals by discharge current passing through a metal conductor. Shock wave, formed by the explosion of conductor, is propagating radially with supersonic speed, gets out through the perforation holes and provides an elastic compressive and tensile impact on the media. Low frequency waves, propagating deep into reservoir, contribute to the development and formation of new cracks, as well as the transformation of sub-capillary pores into capillary, causing the liquid moves from stagnant zones and channels to the zone of active drainage. The paper presents the description of the physics of a process as well as some calculations and estimates of observed technical parameters. Some estimates and calculations, given in the paper, are based on the principles of nonlinear physics and fluid dynamics. Laboratory studies confirmed substantial changes after PPT application both in oil samples (resulting in viscosity reduction) and core samples (increase of permeability). Microseismic studies, carried out on the field, registered the propagation of waves, created by PPT, on a distance of over 1.3 kilometers away from a treated well. Number of well studies both production and injection ones is presented, showing the long lasting effect of treatment. The overall analysis of over 300 treated wells is given, proving the high efficiency of Plasma pulse technology. Technology, presented and described in the paper, allows increasing the productivity of hydrocarbons wells and involving the reserves of residual and unrecoverable oil into production.

Technological ways to improve the efficiency of petrothermal power plants and increase their contribution to electricity generation

“…An example is the innovative technology of plasma-pulse treatment (PPT), which has been tested in oil and gas production, and creates secondary permeability in the reservoir and connects the system of natural fractures (cleavage), thereby increasing the permeability of the reservoir over a large area. The PPT technology itself as well as the references to case studies providing enhancing of oil production with application of PPT are provided in [9,10]. The experience of applying the plasma-pulse technology at oil producing and injection wells has shown a multiple increase in the production/injectivity of treated wells.…”

“…One of typical examples of the result of treatment of an injection well is shown in Figure 4. Passive microseismic studies held on the coal seams and described in [10] showed promising results in creating micro factures into the rocks within a relatively wide distance from the treatment point. Figure 5 shows a map of microseismic energy released during the treatment of one well.…”

The effect of electrically conductive additives on the plasma pyrolysis of heavy hydrocarbons

“…For example, in work [2] the method of pulse plasma processing of the well was discussed with the purpose of elimination of contamination of the punched part and increasing the return of layers. Modern innovative technologies for well-drilling, especially when drilling hard rocks, suggest the use of plasma tools instead of rotating drills [3].…”