Developement and Evaluation of RPPG for Conformance Control in Unconventional Reservoirs
Location
Havener Center, Carver/Turner Room, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Start Date
4-2-2026 1:30 PM
End Date
4-2-2026 2:00 PM
Presentation Date
April 2, 2026; 1:30pm-2:00pm
Description
Conformance control in unconventional reservoirs is challenged by micro-fracture networks and heterogeneity that render conventional in-situ gels and Preformed Particle Gels (PPGs) ineffective due to uncontrolled gelation, surface filter-cake formation, and absence of self-healing.
Re-Crosslinkable Preformed Particle Gels (RPPGs) were synthesized via free-radical polymerization and evaluated through five core-flooding experiments on fractured Colorado Tan Sandstone cores (k = 2.95–4.08 mD; fracture widths: 1.0–2.0 mm) using 40/60 mesh particles, 2% KCl brine, and 1,000 psi confining pressure.
Results demonstrated average plugging efficiency of 99.8%, resistance factors (Fr) of 938–1,748, residual resistance factors (Frr) of 2,815–5,261, and a peak breakthrough pressure of 825 psi recorded in the 1.0 mm fracture core.
These findings confirm RPPG deformability, in-situ re-crosslinking, and self-healing capability, establishing RPPGs as a viable next-generation conformance technology for tight and micro-fractured unconventional reservoirs.
Biography
Makuach James Makeny Panther Athach is a Ph.D. candidate in Petroleum Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, researching parent-child well interference, flow control, wellbore integrity, and the development and evaluation of Preformed Particle Gel (PPG) and Re-Crosslinked Preformed Particle Gel (RCPPG) for conformance control in unconventional reservoirs. With over 15 years of international experience, his career spans from Well Site Engineer at White Nile Petroleum Operating Company to Senior Reservoir Engineer at PETRONAS Carigali and Greater Pioneer Operating Company across Sudan, Malaysia, and South Sudan. He holds a B.Eng. and M.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering, an MBA in Oil and Gas Management, and an ongoing Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering. A member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the Board of Engineers Malaysia, and Engineers Australia, Makeny bridges academia and industry, developing next-generation talent while driving innovative solutions for tomorrow's complex energy challenges
Meeting Name
2026 - Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference
Department(s)
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Second Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Document Type
Presentation
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2026 The Authors, All rights reserved
Developement and Evaluation of RPPG for Conformance Control in Unconventional Reservoirs
Havener Center, Carver/Turner Room, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Conformance control in unconventional reservoirs is challenged by micro-fracture networks and heterogeneity that render conventional in-situ gels and Preformed Particle Gels (PPGs) ineffective due to uncontrolled gelation, surface filter-cake formation, and absence of self-healing.
Re-Crosslinkable Preformed Particle Gels (RPPGs) were synthesized via free-radical polymerization and evaluated through five core-flooding experiments on fractured Colorado Tan Sandstone cores (k = 2.95–4.08 mD; fracture widths: 1.0–2.0 mm) using 40/60 mesh particles, 2% KCl brine, and 1,000 psi confining pressure.
Results demonstrated average plugging efficiency of 99.8%, resistance factors (Fr) of 938–1,748, residual resistance factors (Frr) of 2,815–5,261, and a peak breakthrough pressure of 825 psi recorded in the 1.0 mm fracture core.
These findings confirm RPPG deformability, in-situ re-crosslinking, and self-healing capability, establishing RPPGs as a viable next-generation conformance technology for tight and micro-fractured unconventional reservoirs.
Comments
Advisor: Baojun Bai, baib@mst.edu