Interpretation of differential pressure in laboratory surfactant/polymer displacements
Experimental data were obtained for two surfactant/polymer systems in which fluid mobilities and mobility control were studied through the analysis of differential pressure measurements. One system used nonane as the hydrocarbon phase while the other system used crude oil from the Madison Field, Greenwood County, Kansas. Movement of fluid regions through the core was inferred from the differential pressure measurements along the core. In the nonane system, similar pressure perturbatjions at the ports were extrapolated linearly to the end of the core and correlated with effluent phase production. The microemulsion surfactant slug changed to a more mobile macroemulsion within the first half of the displacement. This macroemulsion moved through the last half of the core as a stabilized, constant velocity bank indicating good mobility control even though the apparent viscosity of the macroemulsion was less than that of the stabilized oil/water banks. In the crude oil surfactant system, pressure data collected along the core indicated capillary pressure effects at the leading edge of the oilbank and the formation of a viscous, less mobile region due to mixing of the microemulsion slug with resident fluids. Phase behavior studies indicated the formation of a viscous lower phase as the microemulsion was diluted with brine. The formation and propagation of this viscous region during displacement leads to favorable mobility control illustrated by the pressure mobility curves as well as by good oil recoveries (80 to 95%).
- OSTI ID:
- 6031098
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-820419-
- Journal Information:
- Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States); ISSN SEAPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Interpretation of differential pressure in laboratory surfactant polymer displacements
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020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
DRILL CORES
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FEDERAL REGION VII
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
KANSAS
MICROEMULSION FLOODING
MINERAL RESOURCES
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
OIL FIELDS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
POLYMERS
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
RECOVERY
RESOURCES
SURFACTANTS
USA