Open AccessHeavy Oil and High-Temperature Polymer EOR Applications
Author(s) -
Rubén Hernán Castro García,
Sebastián Llanos Gallo,
Jenny Liseth Rodriguez Ardila,
Henderson Quintero,
Eduardo Manrique,
José Francisco Zapata Arango
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
c.t. and f ciencia, tecnología, futuro/ctandf ciencia, tecnología y tuturo
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.162
H-Index - 14
eISSN - 2382-4581
pISSN - 0122-5383
DOI - 10.29047/01225383.258
Subject(s) - polyacrylamide , chemical engineering , polymer , enhanced oil recovery , ionic strength , biopolymer , viscosity , brine , thermal stability , materials science , rheology , hydrolysis , chemistry , composite material , polymer chemistry , organic chemistry , aqueous solution , engineering
Polymer flooding represents the most common chemical enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) method used at commercial scale. In this process, the polymeric solutions (generally hydrolyzed polyacrylamide - HPAM) are injected to improve the oil/water mobility ratio (M). However, due to mechanical, chemical, bio, and thermal degradation, polymer viscosity losses can occur, causing a negative impact on oil sweep efficiency. In this case, biopolymers seem to be promising candidates in EOR applications with special structural characteristics, which result in excellent stability in harsh environments with high temperatures, ionic forces, and shear stresses. This paper presents the laboratory evaluation of Scleroglucan (SG) and a commercial sulfonated polyacrylamide (ATBS) in synthetic brine, representative of a Colombian heavy-oil field. The effects of ionic strength, pH, temperature, and shear degradation effects on polymer viscosity were also evaluated. For SG, the results reflect its tolerance to high salinities (0-5%wt), ionic strengths (Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+), shear rates (0-300,000 s-1), temperatures (30, 50, 80 and 100 °C), and pH variations (3-10). The biopolymer was capable of preserving its viscous properties and stability after of the effect of these variables. Finally, the target viscosity (set as 17 cp) was achieved with a lower concentration (2.7 times) than the ATBS polymer tested.