SPE Journal
Volume 16, Number 2, June 2011, pp. 388-400

SPE-129908-PA

Preformed-Particle-Gel Transport Through Open Fractures and Its Effect on Water Flow

  • Baojun Bai, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Hao Zhang, Missouri University of Science and Technology

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DOI  More information 10.2118/129908-PA http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/129908-PA

Citation

  • Zhang, H. and Bai, B. 2011. Preformed-Particle-Gel Transport Through Open Fractures and Its Effect on Water Flow. SPE J. 16 (2): 388-400. SPE-129908-PA. doi: 10.2118/129908-PA.

Discipline Categories

  • 6.3.3 Conformance Improvement
  • 6.4.6 Chemical Flooding Methods Methods (e.g., Polymer, Solvent, Nitrogen, Immiscible CO2, Surfactant, Vapex)
  • 5.3.6 Produced Water Management and Control

Keywords

  • gel treatments, in-depth fluid diversion, preformed particle gel, conformance control, injectivity

Summary

This work constructed transparent fracture models to visually track swollen preformed-particle-gel (PPG) propagation through open fractures and water flow through PPG placed in the fractures. During injection, PPG propagated like a piston along a fracture and a gel pack was formed in the fracture. When water broke through the particle-gel pack after PPG placement, several channels were created that discharged water from the outlet while water was being injected. Investigation of factors that influence PPG injectivity and plugging efficiency revealed that PPG injectivity increases with fracture widths and flow rates but decreases with brine concentrations (on which the PPG swelling ratio depends). PPG can reduce the permeability for the fractures with different widths to the same level. Full-factorial experimental design analysis was performed to rank the influence of injection rate, fracture width, and PPG swelling ratio on pressure response, resistance factors, and injectivity.

© 2010. Society of Petroleum Engineers

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History

  • Original manuscript received: 28 February 2010
  • Meeting paper published: 24 April 2010
  • Revised manuscript received: 25 July 2010
  • Manuscript approved: 30 July 2010
  • Published online: 13 January 2011
  • Version of record: 17 June 2011