Abstract
A dispersed particle gel (DPG) was successfully prepared from a polymer gel at room temperature. The polymer gel system, morphology, viscosity changes, size distribution, and zeta potential of DPG particles were investigated. The results showed that zirconium gel systems with different strengths can be cross-linked within 2.5 h at low temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) results showed that the particles were polygonal particles with nano-size distribution. According to the viscosity changes, the whole preparation process can be divided into two major stages: the bulk gel cross-linking reaction period and the DPG particle preparation period. A polymer gel with a 3-dimensional network was formed in the bulk gel cross-linking reaction period whereas shearing force and frictional force were the main driving forces for the preparation of DPG particles, and thus affected the morphology of DPG particles. High shearing force and frictional force reduced the particle size distribution, and then decreased the zeta potential (absolute value). The whole preparation process could be completed within 3 h at room temperature. It could be an efficient and energy-saving technology for preparation of DPG particles.
Highlights
Long-term water flooding during the development of oilfields has resulted in aggravated heterogeneity of reservoirs
A gel system that can be cross-linked at low temperature is the most critical element in the preparation process
The gel systems based on nonionic polyacrylamide and zirconium acetate cross-linker were investigated at 30 °C
Summary
Long-term water flooding during the development of oilfields has resulted in aggravated heterogeneity of reservoirs. High water production has generated several issues, including lift expense, reinjection of produced water, increased corrosion and scale, and increased environmental pollution, which eventually results in well shut-in [1,2]. Profile control and water shut off treatments are widely practiced to reduce water production and improve oil production [6,7]. Several techniques, including mechanical and chemical methods, are available for profile control and water shut off treatments. Various chemicals methods, including injection of polymers, gel systems, foams, and particle systems, have been widely used for water shut off treatments in worldwide field trials [8,9,10,11]. Polymer flooding is not suitable for serious heterogeneous reservoirs because of its weak profile control and water shut off capability. Foam injection technique has a short validity because of unsustained nitrogen or air sources
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