Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Conformance Control with Polymer Gels: What it Takes to be Successful

  • Research Article - Petroleum Engineering
  • Published:
Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Whenever water production exceeds economic limits of a given oil or gas field, the need arises for a process by which produced water is reduced. Published data indicate that the petroleum industry spends $40 billion every year to process excessive produced water. Water also causes corrosion, scale and requires the construction of larger downstream handling facilities. Polymer gels, due to their versatile nature, are deemed suitable for reducing water production from oil and gas fields. Treatments utilizing these materials are generally referred to as conformance improvement treatments (CITs). Depending on the type of the crosslinker used, polymer gels can be classified as inorganically crosslinked or organically crosslinked. Examples on each type highlighting their capabilities and shortcomings are provided. Polymer thermal stability, compatibility with mixing waters, correct identification of the water production mechanism and gelation time are all key parameters for successful polymer-gel CITs. We will present an overview of the polymer gels technology available up-to-date with practical examples on key parameters for successful CITs. This paper will serve as a guide for scientists and engineers on the use of polymer gels for water control.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bailey B., Crabtree M., Tyrie J. et al.: Water control. Oilfield Rev. 12(1), 30–51 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Khatib, Z.: Produced water management: is it a future legacy or a business opportunity for field development. Paper IPTC 11624, presented at the 2007 international petroleum technology conference, Dubai, 4–6 December 2007

  3. Curtice, R.J.; Dalrymple, D.E.: Just the cost of doing business. World Oil, 77–78 (2004)

  4. Van Eijden, J.; Arkesteijn, F.; Akil, I.; van Vliet, J.; Batenburg, D.; McGinn, P.: Gel-cement, a water shut-off system: qualification in a Syrian Field. Paper SPE 88765, presented at the 2004 international petroleum exhibition and conference, Abu Dhabi, 10–13 October 2004

  5. Mohammed, M.A.; Al-Mubarak, M.A.; Al-Mulhim, A.K.; Al-Mubarak, S.M.; Al-Safi, A.A.: Overview of field results using TTBP as effective water shut-off treatment in open hole well completions in Saudi Arabia. In: Paper SPE 39616, presented at the 1998 SPE/DOE symposium on improved oil recovery, Tulsa, 19–22 April 1998

  6. Clark, R.A.; Lantz, J.; Karami, H.; Al-Ajmi, M.: Pattern balancing and waterflood optimization of a super giant: Sabiriyah Field, North Kuwait, a case study. Paper IPTC 11395 presented at the 2007 international petroleum technology conference, Dubai, 4–6 December 2007

  7. Pradie, E.; Turner, D.; Castillo, H.; Kruger, C.: Pushing the limit of tractor-deployed wireline operations on Al Khalij Field in Qatar. Paper IPTC 11567, presented at the 2007 international petroleum technology conference, Dubai, 4–6 December 2007

  8. Guerra, R.; Maritchev, V.; Gaponov, M.; Gorovetz, E.; Velazquez, J.C.: Optimized fracture designs with RPM to control water cut in Ust Vakh Field in Western Siberia. Paper SPE 108781, presented at the 2007 SPE Asia Pacific oil and gas conference and exhibition, Jakarta, 30 October–1 November 2007

  9. Smith, D.; Ott, B.: A comprehensive review of conformance engineering part 1: understanding the problem. World Oil, 63–68 (2006)

  10. Sydansk R.D., Xiong Y., Al-Dhafeeri A.M., Schrader R.J., Seright R.S.: Characterization of partially formed polymer gels for application to fractured production wells for water-shutoff purposes. SPEJ 20(3), 240–249 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Sydansk R.D.: A newly developed chromium (III) gel technology. SPEREJ 5(3), 346–352 (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Zaitoun, A.; Kohler, N.: Two-phase flow through porous media: effect of an adsorbed polymer layer. Paper SPE 18085, presented at the 1988 SPE annual technical conference and exhibition, Houston, 2–5 October 1988

  13. Sydansk R.D., Seright R.S.: When and where relative permeability modification water-shutoff treatments can be successfully applied. SPEPOJ 22(2), 236–247 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Liang J., Sun H., Seright R.S.: Why do gels reduce water permeability more than oil permeability?. SPEREJ 10(4), 282–286 (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Stavland, A.; Andersen, K.I.; Sandøy, B.; Tjomsland, T.; Mebratu, A.A.: How to apply a blocking gel system for bullhead selective water shut-off: from laboratory to field. Paper SPE 99729, presented at the 2006 SPE/DOE symposium on improved oil recovery, Tulsa, 22–26 April 2006

  16. Sydansk, R.D.: Polymers, gels, foams and resins. In: Lake, L.W. (ed.) Petroleum Engineering Handbook, (2nd edn. Society of Petroleum Engineers, Richardson (2007), Volume V (Reservoir Engineering and Petrophysics), chap. 13, pp. 1149–1260, 2007a

  17. Sydansk, R.D.: Reservoir Engineering and Petrophysics, vol. 5, chap. 13, pp. 1149–1260, (2007a)

  18. Morel, D.; Labastie, A.; Jouenne, S.; Nahas, E.: Feasibility study for EOR by polymer injection in deep offshore fields. Paper IPTC 11800, presented at the 2007 international petroleum technology conference, Dubai, 4–6 December 2007

  19. Taylor K.C., Nasr-El-Din H.A.: Acrylamide copolymers: a review of methods for the determination of concentration and degree of hydrolysis. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 12(1), 9–23 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Prud’homme R.K., Jonathan T.U., Poinsatte J.P., Halverson F.: Rheological monitoring of the formation of polyacrylamide/Cr+3 gels. SPEJ 32(5), 804–808 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Sydansk R.D., Southwell G.P.: More than 12 years’ experience with a successful conformance-control polymer-gel technology. SPEPFJ 15(4), 270–278 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Lockhart, T.P.: Chemical and structural studies on Cr+3/polyacrylamide gels. Paper SPE 20998, presented at the 1991 SPE international symposium on oil field chemistry, Anaheim, 20–22 February 1991

  23. te Nijenhuis K., Mensert A., Zitha P.L.J.: Viscoelastic behavior of partly hydrolyzed polyacrylamide/chromium(III) gels. Rheologica Acta 42(1–2), 132–141 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Fulleylove, R.J.; Morgan, J.C.; Stevens, D.G.; Thrasher, D.R.: Water shut-off in oil production wells—lessons from 12 treatments. Paper SPE 36211, presented at the 1996 international petroleum exhibition and conference, Abu Dhabi, 13–16 October 1996

  25. Jousset, F.; Green, D.W.; Willhite, G.P.; McCool, C.S.: Effect of high shear rate on in-situ gelation of a xanthan/Cr (III) system. Paper SPE 20213, presented at the 1990 SPE/DOE 7th symposium on enhanced oil recovery, Tulsa, 22–25 April 1990

  26. Wellington S.L.: Biopolymer solution viscosity stabilization—polymer degradation and antioxidant use. SPEJ 23(6), 901–912 (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Albonico, P.; Bartosek, M.; Lockhart, T.P.: New polymer gels for reducing water production in high-temperature reservoirs. Paper SPE 27609, presented at the 1994 SPE European production operations conference and exhibition, Aberdeen, 15–17 March 1994

  28. Moradi-Araghi, A.; Cleveland, D.H.; Westerman, I.J.: Development and evaluation of EOR polymers suitable for hostile environments. Part II: copolymers of acrylamide and sodium AMPS. Paper SPE 16273, presented at the 1987 SPE international symposium on oil field chemistry, San Antonio, 4–6 February 1987

  29. Stavland, A.; Jonsbraten, H.C.: New insight into aluminum citrate/polyacrylamide gels for fluid control. Paper SPE 35381, presented at the 1996 SPE/DOE symposium on improved oil recovery, Tulsa, 21–24 April 1996

  30. Moffit, P.D.; Moradi-Araghi, A.; Janway, V.R.; Young, G.R.: Development and field testing of a new low toxicity polymer crosslinking system. Paper SPE 35173, presented at the 1996 Permain Basin oil and gas recovery conference, Midland, 27–29 March 1996

  31. Chauveteau, G.; Tabary, R.; Blin, N.; Renard, M.; Rousseau, D.; Faber, R.: Disproportionate permeability reduction by soft preformed microgels. Paper SPE 89390 presented at the 2004 SPE/DOE improved oil recovery symposium, Tulsa 17–21 April 2004

  32. Moradi-Araghi, A.: Altering high-temperature subterranean formation permeability. US Patent 4,994,194 (1991)

  33. Hutchins, R.D.; Dovan, H.T.; Sandiford, B.B.: Field applications of high-temperature organic gels for water control. Paper SPE 35444, presented at the 1996 SPE/DOE improved oil recovery symposium, Tulsa, 21–24 April 1996

  34. Hardy, M.; Botermans, C.W.; Hamouda, A.; Valdal, J.; Warren, J.: The first carbonate field application of a new organically crosslinked water shut-off polymer system. Paper SPE 50738, presented at the 1999 SPE international symposium on oil field chemistry, Houston, 16–19 February 1999

  35. Moradi-Araghi A.: A review of thermally stable gels for fluid diversion in petroleum production. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 26(1–4), 1–10 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Moradi-Araghi, A.: Gelation of acrylamide-containing polymers with aminobenzoic acid compounds and water dispersible aldehydes. US Patent 5,179,136 (1993)

  37. Moradi-Araghi, A.: Application of low-toxicity crosslinking systems in production of thermally stable gels. Paper SPE 27826, presented at the 1994 SPE/DOE improved oil recovery symposium, Tulsa, 17–20 April 1994

  38. Dovan, H.T.; Hutchins, R.D.; Sandiford, B.B.: Delaying gelation of aqueous polymersat elevated temperatures using novel organic crosslinkers. Paper SPE 37246, presented at the 1997 SPE international symposium on oil field chemistry, Houston, 18–21 February 1997

  39. Morgan, J.C.; Smith, P.L.; Stevens, D.G.: Chemical adaptation and deployment strategies for water and gas shut-off gel systems. Paper presented at the 1997 Royal Chemistry Society’s chemistry in the oil industry international symposium, Ambleside, 14–17 April 1997

  40. Vasquez, J.; Civan, F.; Shaw, T.M.; Dalrymple, E.D.; Eoff, L.; Reddy, B.R.: Laboratory evaluation of high-temperature conformance polymer systems. Paper SPE 80904, presented at the 2003 SPE production and operations symposium, Oklahoma City, 22–25 March 2003

  41. Vasquez, J.; Dalrymple, E.D.; Eoff, L.; Reddy, B.R.; Civan, F.: Development and evaluation of high-temperature conformance polymer systems. Paper SPE 93156, presented at the 2005 SPE international symposium on oil field chemistry, Houston, 2–4 February 2005

  42. Al-Muntasheri G.A., Nasr-El-Din H.A., Peters J.A., Zitha P.L.J.: Investigation of a high-temperature organic water shut-off gel: reaction mechanisms. SPEJ 11(4), 497–504 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Al-Muntasheri, G.A.: Polymer gels for water control: NMR and CT scan studies. Ph.D. thesis, Delft University of Technology, Delft (2008). ISBN: 978-90-9023224-9

  44. Moradi-Araghi A., Doe P.: Hydrolysis and precipitation of polyacrylamide in hard brines at elevated temperatures. SPEREJ 2(2), 189–198 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Doe P.H., Moradi-Araghi A., Shaw J.E., Stahl G.A.: Development and evaluation of EOR polymers suitable for hostile environments: copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and acrylamide. SPEREJ 2(4), 461–467 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Al-Muntasheri G.A., Nasr-El-Din H.A., Hussein I.A.: A rheological investigation of a high-temperature organic gel used for water shut-off treatments. J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 59(1–2), 73–83 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Al-Assi, A.A.; Willhite, G.P.; Green, D.W.; McCool, C.S.: Formation and propagation of gel aggregates using partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide and aluminum citrate. Paper SPE 100049 presented at the 2006 SPE/DOE symposium on improved oil recovery held in Tulsa, 22–26 April 2006

  48. Jordan D.S., Green D.W., Terry R.E., Willhite G.P.: The effect of temperature on gelation time for polyacrylamide/Cr(III) systems. SPEJ 22(4), 463–471 (1982)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Omari A., Chauveteau G., Tabary R.: Gelation of polymer solutions under shear flow. Colloid Surf. A Physicochem. Eng. Aspects J. 225, 37–48 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Han M., Muller G., Zaitoun A.: Gel formation of polyacrylamide in the presence of glyoxal for water control application. Polymer Gels Netw. J. 5(6), 471–480 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Reddy B.R., EoffL.; Dalrymple E.D., Black K., Brown D., Rietjens M.: A natural polymer-based cross-linker system for conformance gel systems. SPEJ 8(2), 99–106 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. te Nijenhuis K.: Crosslink nature in Cr(III)–polyacrylamide Gels. Macromolecular Symposia 171(1), 189–200 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Al-Muntasheri, G.A.; Garzon, F.; Lynn, J.; Sierra, L.; Atwi, M.; Franco, C.: Water shut-off with polymer gels in a high temperature horizontal gas well: a success story. Accepted for presentation at improved oil recovery conference to be held in Tulsa, April 2010

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Production Technology Team, EXPEC Advanced Research Center, Saudi Aramco, P.O. Box 12817, Dhahran, 31311, Saudi Arabia

    Ghaithan A. Al-Muntasheri

Authors
  1. Ghaithan A. Al-Muntasheri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ghaithan A. Al-Muntasheri.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Al-Muntasheri, G.A. Conformance Control with Polymer Gels: What it Takes to be Successful. Arab J Sci Eng 37, 1131–1141 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-012-0234-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-012-0234-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation