A Laboratory investigation of factors affecting polymer retention in carbonate reservoirs

Nithin Chacko Thomas, Umar Alfazazi, Emad W. Al-Shalabi, Waleed AlAmeri

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    15 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Polymer flooding is one of the widely used chemical enhanced oil recovery techniques. Polymer retention is one of the key factors that affects a successful polymer flooding application at field-scale. This paper evaluates polymer retention of two potential synthetic- and bio-polymers in carbonate reservoirs under harsh conditions. Static retention of the two potential polymers was evaluated through studying different potential parameters that govern polymer adsorption rate, namely soaking time, liquid/solid ratio, rock surface area, polymer concentration, temperature, and sulfate spiking. Pulverized carbonate outcrop samples were used as rock surface medium. The initial and final concentrations of polymer solutions were measured using UV-Spectro Photometer and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyzer for the synthetic- and bio-polymers, respectively. Results from the static tests showed that the liquid to solid ratio is the most influential parameter affecting polymer adsorption. Effect of time on biopolymer adsorption is negligible and instantaneous, whereas it took about 6 hours for the synthetic polymer to reach an equilibrium adsorption state with rock powders. Although polymer retention increases with increasing the salinity of the makeup water, acceptable adsorption levels of 250 and 310 µg/g were obtained at a high salinity of 167,000 ppm for synthetic- and bio-polymers, respectively. Polymer concentration is directly affecting the adsorption rate. In addition, the synthetic polymer showed less retention with more promising results as opposed to the biopolymer. The study evaluates several potential parameters affecting static adsorption of potential synthetic- and bio-polymers in carbonate reservoirs under harsh conditions. The paper provides more insight into the effect of sulfate spiking on polymer retention that has not been investigated thoroughly before. The approach used is much simpler than the dynamic retention measurements, but still can be used as an initial screening step before polymer injection tests.

    Original languageBritish English
    Title of host publicationSociety of Petroleum Engineers - Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2020, ADIP 2020
    ISBN (Electronic)9781613997345
    StatePublished - 2020
    EventAbu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2020, ADIP 2020 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
    Duration: 9 Nov 202012 Nov 2020

    Publication series

    NameSociety of Petroleum Engineers - Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2020, ADIP 2020

    Conference

    ConferenceAbu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2020, ADIP 2020
    Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
    CityAbu Dhabi
    Period9/11/2012/11/20

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