Polyindole nanoparticle-based electrorheological fluid and its green and clean future potential conformance control technique to oil fields

Abstract

The remaining challenging issue during oil production from reservoir is reduction of water production using a conformance control technique. As a new method, the feasibility of an electrorheological (ER) suspension for forming a solid-like structure to obstruct the pore throat in porous media was investigated. Suitable conducting nanoparticles for injection into an oil reservoir with regard to size, morphological shape, and field scale capability were synthesized and characterized, then dispersed in two types of oil: heavy and light crude oil. A series of ER experiments, including steady shear and dynamic tests were performed to determine the ability of the proposed conformance control fluid to produce a solid-like form with the electric field. The fluid was then modeled using both the Bingham and Herschel-Bulkley equations. The large ER behaviors proved feasibility of the proposed conformance controlling fluid for reducing water production, which can make the oil production operation more economical and environmentally friendly.