A novel integrated methodology for screening, assessment and ranking of promising oilfields for polymer floods

Abstract

Due to the deterioration of the structure of oil reserves, the demand for enhanced oil recovery technologies is increasing every year. These technologies are usually classified into the following: Chemical, gas, thermal and combined enhance oil recovery methods. Among the chemical methods, polymer flooding stands out. It has been actively studied since the middle of the last century and currently numbers hundreds of completed projects around the world. Despite the relatively long study period and the number of publications dedicated to polymer flooding, there is still a range of aspects requiring research and development as well as field testing. One of the crucial issues at the preparation stage of a polymer flooding project is necessity to select oilfield or pilot area to achieve the best possible technological and economic efficiency results. This article provides analysis of the key factors influencing effectiveness of polymer flooding implementation. The paper reflects historical evolution, i.e. expansion of the technology applicability limits. Their current values have been verified, based on the analysis of the experience of implementing the technology in extreme conditions. Applicability criteria has been established as well for the polymer flooding development. The paper includes development of a uniquely designed integrated methodology for screening, assessment and ranking of promising objects for the technology implementation. The methodology is designed on the basis of a background review of completed projects, as well as on the expertise of the specialists involved in the development and scientific support of chemical enhanced oil recovery projects implementation. The purpose of the methodology is to create a basic universal tool for an express assessment of the prospects for using polymer flooding in different fields, which a wide range of specialists in the oil and gas industry could apply.

Document Type: Original article

Cited as: Podoprigora, D. G., Byazrov, R. R., Lagutina, M. A., Arabov, D. V., Galimov V. V., Ermolin D. S. A novel integrated methodology for screening, assessment and ranking of promising oilfields for polymer floods. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2024, 12(1): 8-21. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2024.04.02

References

Al-Bahar, M. A., Merrill, R., Peake, W., et al. Evaluation of IOR potential within Kuwait. Paper SPE 88716 Presented at International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 10-13 October, 2004.

Al-Hajri, S., Mahmood, S., Abdulelah, H., et al. An overview on polymer retention in porous media. Energies, 2018, 11(10): 2751.

Beloglazov, I., Morenov, V., Leusheva, E. Flow modeling of high-viscosity fluids in pipeline infrastructure of oil and gas enterprises. Egyptian Journal of Petroleum, 2021, 30(4): 43-51.

Brashear, J. P., Kuuskraa, V. A. The potential and economics of enhanced oil recovery. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 1978, 30(9): 1231-1239.

Carcoana, A. N. Enhanced oil recovery in Rumania. Paper SPE 10699 Presented at the SPE Enhanced Oil Recovery Symposium, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 4-7 April, 1982.

Caulfield, M. J., Hao, X., Qiao, G., et al. Degradation on polyacrylamides. Part I. Linear polyacrylamide. Polymer, 2003, 44(5): 1331-1337.

Chang, H. Polymer flooding technology yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 1978, 30(8): 1113-1128.

Chiappa, L., Andrei, M., Lockhart, T. P., et al. Polymer design for relative permeability modification treatments at high temperature. Paper SPE 80202 Presented at the International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry, Houston, Texas, 5-7 February, 2003.

Craig, F. F. J. The Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Water-looding. New York, USA, Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, 1971.

Dean, R. M. Selection and evaluation of surfactants for field pilots. Austin, The University of Texas at Austin, 2011.

Dickson, J. L., Leahy-Dios, A., Wylie, P. L. Development of improved hydrocarbon recovery screening methodologies. Paper SPE 129768 Presented at SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, 24-28 Apil, 2010.

Gaillard, N., Thomas, A., Bataille, S., et al. Advanced selection of polymers for EOR considering shear and hardness tolerance properties. Paper Presented at the IOR 2017-19th European Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery, Stavanger, Norway, 24-27 April, 2017.

Ghosh, P., Wilton, R. R., Bowers, A., et al. Re-injection of produced polymer in EOR projects to improve economics and reduce carbon footprint. Paper SPE 209347 Presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Virtual, 25-29 April, 2022.

Goodlett, G. O., Honarpour, M. M., Chung, F. T., et al. The role of screening and laboratory flow studies in EOR process evaluation. Paper SPE 15172 Presented at SPE Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting, Billings, Montana, 19-21 May, 1986.

Guo, H., Lyu, X., Xu, Y., et al. Recent advances of polymer flooding in China. Molecules, 2022, 27(20): 6978.

Hemmati-Sarapardeh, A., Schaffie, M., Ranjbar, M., et al. Chemical Methods. Texas, USA, Gulf Professional Publishing, 2021.

Himchenko, P. V., Silin, M. A. The algorithm for the introduction of polymer flooding technology. Oil and Gas Technologies, 2018, 3(116): 31-35.

Hryc, M. A., Renta, D. V., Dupuis, G., et al. First thermo-responsive polymer field evaluation in a high temperature reservoir of golfo san jorge, Argentina. Promising results for cost optimization in a polymer project. Paper SPE 209383 Presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Virtual, 25-29 April, 2022.

Ilyasov, I., Koltsov, I., Golub, P., et al. Polymer retention determination in porous media for polymer flooding in unconsolidated reservoir. Polymers, 2021, 13(16): 2737.

Islamov, S. R., Bondarenko, A. V., Gabibov, A. F., et al. Polymer compositions for well killing operation in fractured reservoirs, in Advances in Raw Material Industries for Sustainable Development Goals, edited by S. R., Islamov, A. V., Bondarenko, A. F., Gabibov, et al, CRC Press, Florida, USA, pp. 343-351, 2020.

Islamov, S. R., Bondarenko, A. V., Mardashov, D. V. A selection of emulsifiers for preparation of invert emulsion drilling fluids, in Topical Issues of Rational Use of Natural Resources. edited by S. R., Islamov, A. V., Bondarenko, D. V., Mardashov, CRC Press, Florida, USA, pp. 497-494, 2019.

Jouenne, S., Chakibi, H., Levitt, D. Polymer stability after successive mechanical-degradation events. SPE Journal, 2018, 23(1): 18-33.

Ketova, Y., Bai, B., Khizhnyak, G., et al. Testing of preformed particles polymer gel technology on core filtration models to limit water inflows. Journal of Mining Institute, 2020, 241: 91-96.

Korobov, G. Y., Parfenov, D. V., Nguyen, V. T. Mechanisms of the formation of asphalt-resin and paraffin deposits and factors influencing their intensity. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University Geo Assets Engineering, 2023, 334(4): 103-116.

Leusheva, E., Alikhanov, N., Brovkina, N. Study on the rheological properties of barite-free drilling mud with high density. Journal of Mining Institute, 2022, 258: 976-985.

Mahdavi, E., Zebarjad, F. S. Screening criteria of enhanced oil recovery methods, in Fundamentals of Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery from Conventional and Unconventional Reservoirs, edited by E., Mahdavi, and F. S., Zebarjad, Gulf Professional Publishing, Texas, USA, pp. 41-59, 2018.

Manrique, E., Thomas, C., Ravikiran, R., et al. EOR: Current status and opportunities. Paper SPE 130113 Presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, 24-28 April, 2010.

Mardashov, D. Development of blocking compositions with a bridging agent for oil well killing in conditions of abnormally low formation pressure and carbonate reservoir rocks. Journal of Mining Institute, 2021, 251: 617-626.

Mardashov, D. V., Limanov, M. N. Improving the efficiency of oil well killing at the fields of the volga-ural oil and gas province with abnormally low reservoir pressure. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University Geo Assets Engineering, 2022, 333(7): 185-194.

Petrakov, D. G., Loseva, A. V., Alikhanov, N. T., et al. Standards for selection of surfactant compositions used in completion and stimulation fluids. International Journal of Engineering, 2023, 36(9): 1605-1610.

Podoprigora, D., Byazrov, R., Sytnik, J. The Comprehensive overview of large-volume surfactant slugs injection for enhancing oil recovery: Status and the outlook. Energies, 2022, 15(21): 8300.

Raupov, I., Rogachev, M., Sytnik, J. Design of a polymer composition for the conformance control in heterogeneous reservoirs. Energies, 2023, 16(1): 515.

Rogachev, M., Aleksandrov, A. Justification of a comprehensive technology for preventing the formation of asphaltresin-paraffin deposits during the production of highl-paraffinic oil by electric submersible pumps from multiformation deposits. Journal of Mining Institute, 2021, 250: 596-605.

Saleh, L. D., Wei, M., Bai, B. Data analysis and updated screening criteria for polymer flooding based on oilfield data. SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering, 2014, 17(1): 15-25.

Seright, R. S. Potential for polymer flooding reservoirs with viscous oils. SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering, 2010, 13(4): 730-740.

Seright, R. S. S., Campbell, A. R. R., Mozley, P., et al. Stability of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamides at elevated temperatures in the absence of divalent cations. SPE Journal, 2010, 15(2): 341-348.

Seright, R. S., Zhang, G., Akanni, O. O., et al. A comparison of polymer flooding with In-Depth profile Mmodification. Paper Presented at the SPE Canadian Unconventional Resources Conference. Calgary, 15-17 November, 2011.

Sheng, J. Status of surfactant EOR technology. Petroleum, 2015, 1(2): 97-105.

Suleimanov, B. A., Ismayilov, F. S., Dyshin, O. A., et al. Selection methodology for screening evaluation of EOR methods. Petroleum Science and Technology, 2016, 34(10): 961-970.

Taber, J. J., Martin, F. D., Seright, R. S. EOR screening criteria revisited-part 1: Introduction to screening criteria and enhanced recovery field projects. SPE Reservoir Engineering, 1997, 12(3): 189-198.

Tananykhin, D., Grigorev, M., Korolev, M., et al. Experimental evaluation of the multiphase flow effect on sand production process: Prepack sand retention testing results. Energies, 2022, 15(13): 4657.

Tananykhin, D., Grigorev, M., Simonova, E., et al. Effect of wire design (Profile) on sand retention Parameters of wire-wrapped screens for conventional production: Prepack sand retention testing results. Energies, 2023, 16(5): 2438.

Thomas, A. Essentials of Polymer Flooding (Vol. 292). New York, USA, Wiley, 2018.

Thomas, A., Gaillard, N., Favero, C. Some key features to consider when studying acrylamide-based polymers for chemical enhanced oil recovery. Oil & Gas Science and Technology-Revue d’IFP Energies Nouvelles, 2012, 67(6): 887-902.

Van Thang, N., Thang Vinh, P., Rogachev, M., et al. A comprehensive method for determining the dewaxing interval period in gas lift wells. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, 2023, 13: 1163-1179.

Wang, D., Li, C., Seright, R. S. Laboratory evaluation of polymer retention in a heavy oil sand for a polymer flooding application on Alaska’s North Slope. SPE Journal, 2020, 25(4): 1842-1856.

Wu, R., Wei, B., Li, S., et al. Enhanced oil recovery in complex reservoirs: Challenges and methods. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2023, 10(3): 208-212.

Zhang, X., Li, B., Pan, F., et al. Enhancing oil recovery from low-permeability reservoirs with a thermoviscosifying water-soluble polymer. Molecules, 2021, 26(24): 7468.