Thicker than water. Part 2. Polyacrylamide or polysaccharide: which polymer best fits your reservoir

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Drilling-DCW; (United States)

OSTI ID:6320119

Cypher, R D

The 2 most commonly used polymers (polyacrylamides and polysaccharides) when applied to a tertiary oil recovery process, exhibit the same characteristics of increasing water viscosity to more nearly approach a mobility ratio of one. The mobility ratio change is directed toward improving reservoir sweep efficiency; and therefore, producing more oil while handling less injected and produced water. Polyacrylamides coat the reservoir rock; whereas, polysaccharides do not. In addition, polyacrylamides decrease the reservoir relative permeability to water, while leaving the oil relative permeability essentially unchanged. Due to their differing physical and chemical properties, these 2 polymer materials have advantages and disadvantages in their application, depending upon the specific reservoir conditions. These characteristics and guidelines for application are discussed.

• OSTI ID: 6320119
• Journal Information: Drilling-DCW; (United States), Journal Name: Drilling-DCW; (United States) Vol. 45:10; ISSN DRDCD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ACRYLAMIDE
AMIDES
CARBOHYDRATES
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
DISPLACEMENT FLUIDS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PERMEABILITY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLYAMIDES
POLYMERS
POLYSACCHARIDES
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR ROCK
SACCHARIDES
USES
VISCOSITY
WATERFLOODING
WELLS