Xanthan gel system effective for profile modification

Journal Article · Mon Apr 15 00:00:00 EST 1985 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5251684

Burkholder, L

To cope with the problem of optimizing reservoir sweep efficiency, many companies today are utilizing a technique known as profile modification. This technique is based on the premise that a gelled polymer formulation can be injected into the reservoir some distance beyond the well bore where it creates a flow diversion. The successful application of profile modification techniques has resulted in significant increases in incremental oil recovery. The injectant is a xanthan-gum solution precross-linked with a chromium complex to form a gel. The polymer/chromium combination reduces permeability in the thief zones and diverts a higher percentage of the displacing fluids into previously unswept, oil-saturated portions of the reservoir. Although reservoir characteristics and brine composition are key considerations, xanthan/chrome gels can be tailored to meet almost any conditions. Fractures will require strong gels while tight formations, or formations with low parting pressures, will require thinner gels. Slug volume is designed to treat the ''thief'' interval and must be carefully sized to improve sweep efficiency within economical limits.

• Research Organization: Oil Field Products, Group Pfizer Corp., Groton, CT
• OSTI ID: 5251684
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Vol. 83:15
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
DISPLACEMENT FLUIDS
SWEEP EFFICIENCY
OIL WELLS
MICROEMULSION FLOODING
BRINES
CHROMIUM COMPLEXES
CROSS-LINKING
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
GELS
OIL SATURATION
OPTIMIZATION
PERMEABILITY
POLYMERS
SANDSTONES
XANTHUM GUM
CARBOHYDRATES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COLLOIDS
COMPLEXES
DISPERSIONS
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYMERIZATION
POLYSACCHARIDES
RECOVERY
ROCKS
SACCHARIDES
SATURATION
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPLEXES
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production