Preformed Particle Gel Transport through Open Fractures and its Effect on Water Flow

Abstract

Transparent fracture models were constructed to visually track swollen preformed particle gel (PPG) propagation through open fractures and water flow through PPG placed in fractures. It was observed that PPG propagated like a piston along a fracture during PPG injection and a gel pack was formed in the fracture after gel placement and water broke through the particle gel pack to create several water channels to discharge water from the outlet during water injection after PPG placement. The factors that influence PPG injectivity and plugging efficiency have been investigated. Results show that PPG injectivity increases with fracture width and flow rate and decreases with brine concentration on which PPG swollen ratio is dependent. PPG can reduce the permeability of different width fracture to the same level. Full factorial experimental design was performed to rank the influence of injection rate, fracture width, and PPG swelling ratio on the response of pressure, resistance factor and injectivity.

Meeting Name

17th SPE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium (2010: Apr, 24-28, Tulsa, OK)

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Brine Concentration; Discharge Water; Fracture Model; Fracture Width; Full Factorial; Gel Placement; Injection Rates; Injectivity; Resistance Factors; Swelling Ratio; Water Channels; Water Flows; Flow Of Water; Fracture; Hydraulics; Water Injection; Gels

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-1617384158

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2010 Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Apr 2010

Link to Full Text

Share

 
COinS