Development and Laboratory Test of the Gelling Composition for the Selective Isolation of Formation Waters

Abstract

The paper discusses the development of a silicon-dioxide based back plugging material with a controllable gelling period, which provides selective isolation of highly permeable areas of the bottomhole zone (BHZ) in production wells. The optimal composition, concentration and mixing procedure of the components for the gelling process based on the reaction between sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) were determined. Also gel formation, beginning and end of solidification, temperature and baric barometric dependences of the process were studied at the best power mixture ratios. In addition, the effect of the gelling composition with the optimal composition on the permeability of the layers was studied by checking the layered formation model. It was determined that in certain concentrations and ratios of Na2SiO3 and HCl solutions, a gelling composition is formed, and it is possible to use this composition for the selective isolation of reservoir waters. Keywords: Well bottom zone; Gel; composition; Reservoir model; Hydrochloric acid; Liquid glass; Water flooding; Permeability; Selective isolation.