Doctoral Dissertations

Keywords and Phrases

Carbonate; Conformance; EOR; Polymer; Preformed Particle Gel; Surfacant

Abstract

This study aims to systematically evaluate the performance of preformed particle gels (PPGs) in fractured carbonates mainly through a series of core flooding experiments. Carbonate reservoirs exhibit unique features of heterogeneity and pore geometry, while (PPGs) are known for their plugging efficiency, deformability, and dehydratable nature. The main goal of gel injection in fractured reservoirs is to place a gel pack appropriately into the fracture, diverting injected fluid to the oil-bearing matrix and reducing excessive water production. However, considerable dehydration of (PPGs) is possible at the adjacent matrix and within the fracture, which could lead to a filter-cake formation and/or retards gel propagation. The objectives of this study include investigating filter-cake formation conditions, providing a coherent assessment of (PPGs) dehydration and retention characteristics in fracture models, and gaining a fundamental understanding of (PPGs) propagation and oil recovery mechanisms in high-permeability carbonate media through visual observation. Three main tasks were performed to achieve these objectives, and the results have satisfied the assigned objectives, illustrating the rationale of this study. Filtration tests confirmed pressure as the most influential factor in the limited penetration of Preformed Particle Gels (PPGs) into a carbonate matrix. PPG exhibited excellent stability while extruding fractures by maintaining acceptable dehydration levels. Furthermore, PPG dehydration was observed to be more advantageous for oil recovery in water-wet carbonates compared to oil-wet carbonates, and PPG successfully diverted injected surfactant to the matrix, improving oil recovery by up to 17%.

Advisor(s)

Bai, Baojun

Committee Member(s)

Imqam, Abdulmohsin
Hussein, Ibnelwaleed
Wei, Mingzhen
Flori, Ralph E.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Petroleum Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2025

Journal article titles appearing in thesis/dissertation

This dissertation consists of the following four articles, formatted in the style used by the Missouri University of Science and Technology:

Paper I, found on pages 25-56, has been published in the SPE Journal, Society of Petroleum Engineers, 2023.

Paper II, found on pages 57-89, has been submitted to SPE Journal, Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Paper III, found on pages 90-119, is intended for submission to SPE Journal, Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Paper IV, found on pages 120-156, has been published in Gels Journal, Special Issue Gels for Oil Drilling and Enhanced Recovery (2nd Edition), 2024.

Pagination

xix, 164 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes_bibliographical_references_(pages 161-163)

Rights

© 2025 Abdulaziz A Almakimi , All Rights Reserved

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 12495

Download

Share

 
COinS