Why do gels reduce water permeability more than oil permeability?

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · SPE Reservoir Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/27829-PA· OSTI ID:136673

Liang, J T; Sun, H; Seright, R S ^[1]

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1. New Mexico Petroleum Recovery Research Center, Socorro, NM (United States)

A capacity to reduce water permeability much more than oil permeability is critical to the success of gel treatments in production wells if zones cannot be isolated during gel placement. Although several researchers have reported polymers and gels that provide this disproportionate permeability reduction, the explanation for the phenomenon was unclear. In this paper, the authors examine several possible explanations for why some gels reduce water permeability more than oil permeability. Their experimental results indicate the disproportionate permeability reduction is not caused by gravity or lubrication effects. Results also indicate that gel shrinking and swelling are unlikely to be responsible for the phenomenon. Although wettability may play a role in the disproportionate permeability reduction, it does not appear to be the root cause for water permeability being reduced more than oil permeability. Results from an experiment with an oil-based gel suggest that segregation of oil and water pathways through a porous medium (on a microscopic scale) may play the dominant role in the disproportionate permeability reduction. However, additional work will be required to verify this concept.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 136673
• Journal Information: SPE Reservoir Engineering, Journal Name: SPE Reservoir Engineering Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 10; ISSN 0885-9248; ISSN SREEEF
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
ENHANCED RECOVERY
MICROEMULSION FLOODING
OIL WELLS
PERFORMANCE
RESERVOIR FLUIDS
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
SURFACTANTS
WELL STIMULATION
WETTABILITY