Abstract
Polymer flooding has proved economically and technically successful in numerous enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects, which can often increase oil recovery from 12 to 15 % of the original oil in place. When a reservoir is flooded with viscous polymer solution, the mobility ratio between the displacing fluid (i.e., water) and the displaced fluid (i.e., oil) becomes more favorable if compared to conventional water flooding. Therefore, the volumetric sweep efficiency and correspondingly the overall oil recovery are effectively improved. Currently, there is a widespread idea that polymer flooding is inefficient in improving the microscopic oil displacement (at pore scale). However, recent research based on laboratory studies and pilot field testing has proved otherwise. It seems that the viscoelastic properties of polymeric systems indeed improve the microscopic displacement efficiency of residual oil. This paper reviews and emphasizes the recovery mechanisms that have been proposed to explain oil displacement by polymer flooding within oil reservoirs. The aim of this review is to provide a synopsis of polymer flooding which is rapidly emerging as a popular and advantageous EOR process.
Highlights
As early as the 1960s, polymer flooding has been suggested as an oil displacement process in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), with the main functionality of increasing the viscosity of the displacing fluid, which is commonly water (Sandiford 1964)
The aim of this review is to provide a synopsis of polymer flooding which is rapidly emerging as a popular and advantageous EOR process
To reach the bypassed oil zones, viscous polymer solution is usually injected into the reservoir as the driving fluid, strategy that is well-known as polymer flooding, by which the poor mobility ratio encountered in conventional water flooding is corrected
Summary
As early as the 1960s, polymer flooding has been suggested as an oil displacement process in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), with the main functionality of increasing the viscosity of the displacing fluid, which is commonly water (Sandiford 1964). This pioneer work conducted by Sandiford was followed by wide research efforts with the purpose of recognizing the benefits of using non-Newtonian displacing fluids in oil recovery applications (Szabo 1975; Dominguez and Whillhite 1977; Gleasure 1990). To reach the bypassed oil zones, viscous polymer solution is usually injected into the reservoir as the driving fluid, strategy that is well-known as polymer flooding, by which the poor mobility ratio encountered in conventional water flooding is corrected. Polymer flooding increases the volumetric sweep efficiency of the flooded reservoir
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
