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Article
Preformed Particle Gel Extrusion through Open Conduits during Conformance Control Treatments
Proceedings of the 19th SPE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium (2014, Tusla, OK)
  • Abdulmohsin Imqam, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Baojun Bai, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Mustafa Al Ramadan
  • Mingzhen Wei, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Mojdeh Delshad
  • Kamy Sepehrnoori
Abstract

Millimeter-sized (10 um~mm) preformed particle gels (PPGs) have been used successfully as conformance control agents in more than 5,000 wells. They help to control both water and CO2 production through high-permeability streaks or conduits (large pore openings), which naturally exist or are aggravated either by mineral solutions or by a high injection pressure during the flooding process. This paper explores several factors that can have an important impact on the injectivity and plugging efficiency of PPGs in these conduits. Extensive experiments were conducted to examine the effect of the conduit's opening size and the PPG strength on the ratio of the particle size to the opening diameter, injectivity index, resistance factor, and plugging efficiency. Five-foot tubes with four internal diameters were designed to emulate the opening conduits. Three pressure taps were mounted along the tubes to monitor PPG transport and plugging performance. The results show that weak gel has less injection pressure at a large particle opening ratio compared to strong gel. PPG strength impacted injectivity more significantly than did particle opening ratio. Resistance factor increased as the brine concentration and conduit opening size increased. PPGs can significantly reduce the permeability of an open conduit and their plugging efficiency depends highly on the particle strength and the conduit's opening size. The particle size of PPG was reduced during their transport through conduits. Experimental results confirm that the size reduction was caused by both dehydration and breakdown. Based on the lab data, two mathematical models were developed to quantitatively calculate the resistance factor and the stable injection pressure as a function of the particle strength, particle opening ratio, and shear rate. This research provides significant insight into designing better millimeter-sized particle gel treatments intended for use in large openings, including open fractures, caves, worm holes, and conduits.

Meeting Name
19th SPE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium (2014: Apr. 12-16, Tulsa, OK)
Department(s)
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
  • Carbon Dioxide,
  • Mathematical Models,
  • Particle Size,
  • Tubes (Components),
  • Brine Concentration,
  • Conformance Control,
  • High Injection Pressures,
  • Injection Pressures,
  • Injectivity Index,
  • Internal Diameters,
  • Millimeter-Sized Particles,
  • Resistance Factors,
  • Efficiency
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
978-1632663863
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2014 Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
4-1-2014
Publication Date
01 Apr 2014
Disciplines
Citation Information
Abdulmohsin Imqam, Baojun Bai, Mustafa Al Ramadan, Mingzhen Wei, et al.. "Preformed Particle Gel Extrusion through Open Conduits during Conformance Control Treatments" Proceedings of the 19th SPE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium (2014, Tusla, OK) Vol. 2 (2014) p. 1098 - 1112
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/abdulmohsin-imqam/10/