Essentials of Polymer Flooding Technique

Title:

Personal Author:

Thomas, Antoine, 1986-, author

Physical Description:

xxvi, 299 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

ISBN:

9781119537588

Abstract:

The production and utilization of oil has transformed our world. However, dwindling reserves are forcing industry to manage resources more efficiently, while searching for alternative fuel sources that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Polymer flooding is an enhanced oil recovery technique that improves sweep, reduces water production, and improves recovery in geological reservoirs. This book summarizes the key factors associated with polymers and polymer flooding—from the selection of the type of polymer through characterization techniques, to field design and implementation—and discusses the main issues to consider when deploying this technology to improve oil recovery from mature reservoirs

Subject Term:

Polymer flooding (Petroleum engineering)

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Summary

Provides an easy-to-read introduction to the area of polymer flooding to improve oil production

The production and utilization of oil has transformed our world. However, dwindling reserves are forcing industry to manage resources more efficiently, while searching for alternative fuel sources that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Polymer flooding is an enhanced oil recovery technique that improves sweep, reduces water production, and improves recovery in geological reservoirs. This book summarizes the key factors associated with polymers and polymer flooding--from the selection of the type of polymer through characterization techniques, to field design and implementation--and discusses the main issues to consider when deploying this technology to improve oil recovery from mature reservoirs.

Essentials of Polymer Flooding Technique introduces the area of polymer flooding at a basic level for those new to petroleum production. It describes how polymers are used to improve efficiency of "chemical" floods (involving surfactants and alkaline solutions). The book also offers a concise view of several key polymer-flooding topics that can't be found elsewhere. These are in the areas of pilot project design, field project engineering (water quality, oxygen removal, polymer dissolution equipment, filtration, pumps and other equipment), produced water treatment, economics, and some of the important field case histories that appear in the last section.

Provides an easy to read introduction to polymer flooding to improve oil production whilst presenting the underlying mechanisms Employs "In A Nutshell" key point summaries at the end of each chapter Includes important field case studies to aid researchers in addressing time- and financial-consumption in dealing with this issue Discusses field engineering strategies appropriate for professionals working in field operation projects

Essentials of Polymer Flooding Technique is an enlightening book that will be of great interest to petroleum engineers, reservoir engineers, geoscientists, managers in petroleum industry, students in the petroleum industry, and researchers in chemical enhanced oil recovery methods.

Author Notes

Antoine Thomas holds an MSc in Petroleum Geosciences from the Ecole Nationale Suprieure de Gologie in Nancy, France (2009). He joined SNF in 2011 as a reservoir engineer dealing with Polymer Flooding project design, implementation and assistance, for various customers worldwide. In 2013, he spent part of his time in the RD department, building the core flooding capacities for SNF and managing RD projects in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and hydraulic fracturing. He moved to Moscow in 2018 to supervise the Oil Gas business, from a technical standpoint, while maintaining contact with all SNF subsidiaries.

Preface	p. xv
Abbreviations	p. xix
About the Author	p. xxiii
Introduction	p. xxv
1 Why Enhanced Oil Recovery?	p. 3
1.1 What Is a Reservoir?	p. 4
1.2 Hydrocarbon Recovery Mechanisms	p. 4
1.2.1 Anecdote	p. 7
1.3 Definitions of IOR and EOR	p. 8
1.4 What Controls Oil Recovery?	p. 8
1.5 Classification and Description of EOR Processes	p. 11
1.5.1 Thermal Processes	p. 11
1.5.2 Chemical Processes	p. 15
1.5.3 Miscible Processes	p. 15
1.6 Why EOR? Cost, Reserve Replacement, and Recovery Factors	p. 17
References	p. 20
2 Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery Methods	p. 23
2.1 Introduction	p. 24
2.2 Chemical EOR Methods	p. 26
2.2.1 Polymer Flooding	p. 27
2.2.2 High-Viscosity Polymer Slugs	p. 32
2.2.3 Surfactant-Polymer (SP)	p. 33
2.2.3.1 Surfactants	p. 33
2.2.3.2 Field Cases	p. 37
2.2.4 Alkali-Surfactant-Polymer Flooding (ASP)	p. 38
2.2.4.1 Theory	p. 38
2.2.4.2 Laboratory Studies	p. 40
2.2.4.3 Economics	p. 44
2.2.4.4 Field Cases	p. 45
2.2.5 Other Chemical Methods	p. 49
2.2.5.1 Gels vs. Polymer Injection	p. 49
2.2.5.2 Colloidal Dispersion Gels	p. 50
2.2.5.3 Microgels and Nanogels	p. 53
2.2.5.4 Relative Permeability Modifiers (RPM)	p. 54
References	p. 56
3 Polymer Flooding	p. 65
3.1 Introduction	p. 66
3.2 Concept	p. 67
3.2.1 Fractional Flow	p. 67
3.2.2 Polymer Flooding Applicability	p. 70
3.2.3 Timing	p. 71
3.3 Envelope of Application	p. 73
3.3.1 History	p. 73
3.3.2 Reservoir Prescreening	p. 77
3.3.2.1 Lithology	p. 78
3.3.2.2 Wettability	p. 78
3.3.2.3 Current Oil Saturation	p. 80
3.3.2.4 Porosity Type	p. 80
3.3.2.5 Gas Cap	p. 80
3.3.2.6 Aquifer	p. 81
3.3.2.7 Salinity/Hardness	p. 81
3.3.2.8 Dykstra-Parsons	p. 82
3.3.2.9 Clays	p. 83
3.3.2.10 Water-cut	p. 84
3.3.2.11 Flooding Pattern and Spacing	p. 85
3.4 Conclusions	p. 85
References	p. 87
4 Polymers	p. 91
4.1 Introduction	p. 92
4.2 Polyacrylamide - Generalities	p. 93
4.2.1 Introduction	p. 93
4.2.2 Monomers	p. 93
4.2.2.1 Acrylamide	p. 93
4.2.2.2 Acrylic Acid	p. 95
4.2.2.3 ATBS	p. 95
4.2.2.4 N-Vinylpyrrolidone	p. 96
4.2.3 Polymerization Processes	p. 96
4.2.3.1 Gel Polymerization Process	p. 97
4.2.3.2 Inverse Emulsion Polymerization Process	p. 98
4.3 Polymer Selection Guidelines	p. 99
4.3.1 Generalities	p. 99
4.3.1.1 Polymer Form	p. 100
4.3.1.2 Polymer Chemistry	p. 101
4.3.1.3 Polymer Molecular Weight	p. 101
4.3.2 Polymer Selection	p. 102
4.3.2.1 Molecular Weight	p. 103
4.3.3 Other Polymer Families	p. 103
4.3.3.1 Associative Polymers	p. 103
4.3.3.2 Thermoresponsive Polymers	p. 105
4.4 Polymer Characteristics and Rheology	p. 105
4.4.1 Viscosity	p. 106
4.4.1.1 Generalities	p. 106
4.4.2 Rheology	p. 109
4.4.3 Solubility	p. 110
4.5 Polymer Stability	p. 110
4.5.1 Chemical Degradation	p. 110
4.5.1.1 Oxygen	p. 111
4.5.1.2 Iron	p. 112
4.5.1.3 Protection from Chemical Degradation	p. 112
4.5.2 Mechanical Degradation	p. 114
4.5.3 Thermal Degradation	p. 115
4.5.4 Improving Polymer Stability	p. 117
4.6 Laboratory Evaluations	p. 118
4.6.1 Solubility and Filterability	p. 119
4.6.1.1 Solubility	p. 119
4.6.1.2 Filterability	p. 119
4.6.2 Viscosity	p. 121
4.6.3 Shear Resistance	p. 124
4.6.4 Screen Factor	p. 125
4.6.5 Long-Term Stability	p. 126
4.6.6 Compatibility Tests	p. 127
4.6.7 Core Flooding	p. 128
4.6.7.1 Generalities	p. 129
4.6.7.2 Equipment and Tips for Injection	p. 140
4.6.8 Quality Control	p. 141
4.6.9 Heath, Safety, and Environment	p. 142
4.6.9.1 Product Handling	p. 142
4.6.9.2 Anionic Polyacrylamide in the Marine Environment	p. 143
4.6.9.3 Biodegradability	p. 144
4.6.9.4 Polyacrylamides as a Nitrogen Source	p. 145
4.6.9.5 Polyacrylamides as a Carbon Source	p. 145
4.6.9.6 About Acrylamide Reformation and Toxicity	p. 147
References	p. 149
5 Polymer Flooding - Pilot Design	p. 159
5.1 Reservoir Screening - Reminder	p. 160
5.2 Pilot Design	p. 161
5.2.1 Pattern Selection	p. 162
5.2.2 How Much Polymer?	p. 165
5.2.3 Injection Protocol	p. 168
5.2.3.1 Start-Up of Polymer Injection	p. 168
5.2.3.2 Ending Polymer Injection	p. 168
5.2.3.3 Voidage Replacement Ratio (VRR)	p. 169
5.3 Injectivity	p. 171
5.3.1 Discussion on Injectivity	p. 174
5.4 Monitoring	p. 180
5.5 Modeling	p. 181
5.6 Quality Control	p. 182
5.7 Specific Considerations for Offshore Implementation	p. 183
References	p. 186
6 Engineering	p. 189
6.1 Preliminary Requirements	p. 190
6.1.1 Water Quality	p. 190
6.1.2 Oxygen Removal	p. 191
6.1.3 Requirements for Design	p. 192
6.1.4 Powder vs. Emulsion	p. 194
6.2 Injection Equipment for Emulsions	p. 195
6.3 Injection Equipment for Powders	p. 195
6.3.1 Dispersion and Dissolution	p. 195
6.3.2 Maturation	p. 198
6.4 Field Development Approaches Onshore	p. 198
6.4.1 Existing Waterflooding in the Field	p. 200
6.4.1.1 One Pump per Well - Injecting Mother Solution	p. 201
6.4.1.2 One Pump for Several Wells - Injecting Mother Solution	p. 201
6.4.2 No Existing Waterflooding in the Field	p. 201
6.4.2.1 One Pump per Well - Injecting Diluted Solution	p. 202
6.4.2.2 One Pump for Several Wells -Injecting Diluted Solution	p. 202
6.4.3 Logistics for Onshore Projects	p. 202
6.5 Key Considerations for Offshore Implementation	p. 205
6.6 ASP Process	p. 209
6.6.1 ASP Reminder	p. 209
6.6.2 Water Softening	p. 209
6.6.3 Chemicals	p. 211
6.6.3.1 Alkali	p. 211
6.6.3.2 Surfactant	p. 212
6.6.4 Mixing of All Products	p. 213
6.7 From the Dissolution Point to the Wellhead	p. 214
6.7.1 Viscosity Monitoring	p. 214
6.7.2 Non-shearing Chokes	p. 216
References	p. 218
7 Produced Water Treatment	p. 221
7.1 Introduction	p. 222
7.2 Generalities	p. 224
7.2.1 Produced Water Characteristics	p. 224
7.2.2 Oil and Gas Processing	p. 226
7.3 Oil and Gas Separation	p. 226
7.3.1 Separators	p. 226
7.3.2 Heater Treaters	p. 228
7.4 Water Treatment	p. 229
7.4.1 Introduction and Generalities	p. 229
7.4.2 Gravity Separation	p. 229
7.4.2.1 Deoilers	p. 231
7.4.3 Gas Flotation	p. 232
7.4.4 Cyclonic Separation	p. 234
7.4.5 Centrifuges	p. 234
7.4.6 Filtration	p. 235
7.4.6.1 Media Filters	p. 235
7.4.6.2 Membranes	p. 237
7.5 Polymer Degradation	p. 239
7.5.1 Polymer Removal	p. 240
7.5.2 Chemical Oxidation	p. 241
7.5.3 Electro-Oxidation	p. 241
7.5.4 Mechanical Degradation	p. 242
7.5.5 Ultrasonic Degradation	p. 242
7.5.6 Thermal Degradation	p. 243
7.5.7 UV - Advanced Oxidation Processes	p. 243
7.6 Conclusions and Discussion	p. 244
References	p. 248
8 Economics	p. 251
8.1 Introduction	p. 252
8.2 Cost Overview	p. 252
8.2.1 Water Handling and Injection	p. 253
8.2.2 Cost of EOR Chemicals	p. 255
8.2.3 Additional Costs for ASP Flooding	p. 256
8.3 Example - Polymer Flooding	p. 257
8.4 Examples - SP and ASP	p. 260
8.4.1 SP	p. 260
8.4.2 ASP	p. 262
8.4.3 Comparison P - SP - ASP	p. 264
8.5 Conclusions	p. 265
References	p. 268
9 Field Cases	p. 271
9.1 Introduction	p. 272
9.2 Envelope of Application	p. 275
9.3 Other Interesting Field Cases	p. 281
9.3.1 Economic Benefits of Polymer Injection	p. 281
9.3.2 Injection Under Fracturing Conditions	p. 281
9.3.3 High-Temperature Reservoirs	p. 281
9.4 Conclusions	p. 283
References	p. 285
Index	p. 289

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Table of Contents