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Novel self‐assembling polymeric system based on a hydrophobic modified copolymer: formulation, rheological characterization, and performance in enhanced heavy oil recovery
Author(s) -
Wei Bing,
RomeroZerón Laura,
Rodrigue Denis
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.3279
Subject(s) - polyacrylamide , enhanced oil recovery , materials science , rheology , chemical engineering , copolymer , brine , viscoelasticity , cyclodextrin , polymer , polymer chemistry , chromatography , composite material , organic chemistry , chemistry , engineering
This work presents the chemical formulation and rheological properties of a novel self‐assembling polymer (SAP) system derived from a hydrophobically modified sulfonated polyacrylamide (HMSPAM). This polymeric association was established through complexation between the pendant hydrophobic groups contained in HMSPAM and β ‐cyclodextrin molecules. The new SAP system offers improved viscoelastic properties because of the “interlocking effect” of the hydrophobic groups into β ‐cyclodextrin cavities. It also provides suitable reformability upon mechanical shear when compared to the base HMSPAM. Furthermore, SAP exhibits superior tolerance to elevate brine salinity and hardness, as well as high reservoir temperature. Sandpack flooding tests conducted at simulated reservoir conditions (Pelican Lake reservoir, Alberta, Canada) indicate that this system shows superior mobility control (resistance factor) compared to HMSPAM. It also shows potential as in situ permeability modifier, which makes this polymeric system particularly suitable for heavy oil recovery applications. For instance, the newly developed SAP produced 20% more incremental heavy oil recovery if compared to the performance of the commonly used partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide and 7% more incremental oil recovery than the baseline HMSPAM at the same experimental conditions. Overall, this new self‐assembly system shows potential for applications in heavy oil recovery. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.