Optimizing Well Completion for Polymer Flooding in Conjunction with Waterflood Flow Control Valves

Abstract

This work presents the proposal design for the completion of a polymer flooding injector well with waterflood flow regulator valves (FRV) in a Colombian field, based on experimental evaluations at the laboratory, intending to reduce the mechanical degradation suffered by the polymer solution at the time of injection, which allows to maintain the design parameters of the improved recovery project and reach the expected recovery factor. An analysis of the parameters and variables that influence the mechanical degradation of the polymer solution during the injection process (polymer solution concentration and the diameters of the FRV) was carried out using one laboratory methodology based on the recommended practices for the evaluation of polymers used in enhanced oil recovery operations API RP63. This work focuses on the following highlights: Evaluation of a waterflood flow regulator valve through experimental tests for polymer flooding and the designing of an initial well completion strategy to minimize mechanical degradation. The proposed valve and diameter resulted in a reduction of only 15 percentage points in the mechanical degradation of the polymeric solution when compared to a commercial water valve.