SPE Journal
Volume 15,
Number 2,
June 2010,
pp. 349-367
Summary
Gelled polymer systems are applied to oil reservoirs to reduce water
production and to increase sweep efficiencies in recovery processes. A common
system consists of hydrolyzed polyacrylamide with a chromium (III) crosslinker.
Transport of these chemicals through the reservoir rock is essential for a
successful treatment. In carbonate reservoirs, dissolution of the carbonate
raises the pH of the gelant to levels where chromium precipitates, robbing the
gelant of crosslinker. The transport of chromium acetate solutions through
dolomite rock material was studied by injecting various solutions through short
cores and measuring Cr, Mg, and Ca concentrations and pH in the effluent.
Chromium retention in the cores caused by precipitation was a rate-controlled
process. A mathematical model was developed that described convection,
dispersion, kinetic reactions of carbonate dissolution and chromium
precipitation, and chemical equilibrium for reactions between aqueous
components. Experimental data from this work and taken from literature were
simulated by the model. One rate equation with one set of parameters described
the steady-state values of chromium concentration exiting the cores after the
breakthrough of the injected solutions.
© 2010. Society of Petroleum Engineers
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History
- Original manuscript received:
17 February 2006
- Meeting paper published:
22 April 2006
- Revised manuscript received:
23 December 2008
- Manuscript approved:
20 August 2009
- Published online:
4 March 2010
- Version of record:
17 June 2010
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