Further investigations of why gels reduce water permeability more than oil permeability

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · SPE Production and Facilities

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/37249-PA· OSTI ID:549427

Liang, J T; Seright, R S ^[1]

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

In this paper, the authors investigate why some gels can reduce the permeability to water much more than to oil. This property is critical to the success of chemical-based water-shutoff treatments in production wells if hydrocarbon-productive zones cannot be protected during placement. The authors first briefly review previous findings and the validity of several possible explanations for this disproportionate permeability reduction. Next, they describe experiments that test the validity of a promising mechanism--the segregated pathway theory. This theory speculates that on a microscopic scale, aqueous gelants follow water pathways more than oil pathways. Experimental results in cores support this mechanism for oil-based gels, but not for water-based gels. They also explore another interesting mechanism that involves a balance between capillary and elastic forces. Results from experiments support this mechanism for flow in tubes and micromodels, but not in porous rock. Other mechanisms are also discussed.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 549427
• Journal Information: SPE Production and Facilities, Journal Name: SPE Production and Facilities Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 12; ISSN 1064-668X; ISSN SPRFEZ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
FLUID INJECTION
GELS
OIL WELLS
PERMEABILITY
PETROLEUM
PLUGGING
PLUGGING AGENTS
RESERVOIR ROCK
WATER