A study of the reduction of brine permeability in Berea sandstone with the aluminum citrate process

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/13582-PA· OSTI ID:6755863

Parmeswar, R; Willhite, G P

A systematic study of permeability modification of Berea sandstone by the injection of alternate slugs of polymer and aluminum citrate is described. The research included brine permeabilities from 10 to 300 md. Results of treatments with Pusher 700/sup TM/ showed that permeability reduction was limited to the front end of the core (0 to 4 in. (0 to 10 cm)). The effective mobility of the treated region was so low that in-depth treatment of the remainder of the core was prevented. The amount and distribution of permeability reduction is related to both polymer and aluminum retention. The retention of aluminum was found to be a nonequilibrium process, varying with the flow rate and thus residence time in the core. Aluminum was retained in large quantities in Berea core in the absence of polymer. Changing the treatment sequence to aluminum citrate/brine/polymer/brine yielded in-depth treatment of cores 12 to 48 in. (30 to 121 cm) in length. Both magnitude and persistence of permeability reduction were comparable to or better than those obtained with the combination process. Permeability increased with distance from the core inlet in most runs. This is believed to be caused by nonuniform distribution of retained aluminum.

• Research Organization: Kraft Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
• OSTI ID: 6755863
• Journal Information: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Reserv. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 3:3; ISSN SREEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040201* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Site Geology-- (-1989)
040401 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
58 GEOSCIENCES
580100 -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
BRINES
MODIFICATIONS
OIL YIELDS
PERMEABILITY
POLYMERS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
YIELDS