Development of novel mathematical models for laboratory studies of hydrolyzed polyacrylamide polymer injectivity in high-permeability conduits

Abstract

Hydrolyzed polyacrylamide polymer (HPAM) is the most used polymer in enhanced oil recovery operations in the oil industry. This is mainly attributed to its cost and availability. An important aspect during polymer injection in the formation for mobility control is the ability to inject the polymer easily and safely in the reservoir without having to deal with extremely high pressure gradients and without risking formation fracture. This research develops two mathematical models that can help obtain values for polymer injectivity as a function of HPAM concentration, injection flowrate, and the porous media pore size. The mathematical models were developed based on experiments conducted previously using different polymer concentrations, pore sizes, and polymer injection flowrates. After the models were developed, different data were used to validate the model and examine its accuracy in determining polymer injectivity. The models were also used to predict polymer injectivity for different conditions and illustrate the pore sizes at which the polymer was not able to propagate in the formation. Since the models have several limitations, these were mentioned in the manuscript in order to reduce any error obtained while using the models.