Preformed Particle Gels (PPGs) Compressibility Measurements in the Reservoirs Channels

Abstract

Abstract Excess water production has become a significant problem to the oil-field operations as reservoirs mature. Preformed particle gels (PPGs) has been used widely to reduce the permeability of the formation channels. Therefore, water production decreases and sweeps efficiency increases in mature oil-fields. The work on this research will help out and determine what factors affect the PPG pack compressibility. It will determine the compressibility of swollen PPGs which could affect the selection and the design of the best PPG treatments in mature reservoirs. A transparent model was designed to observe the compression of gel particles in fluid channels at different injection pressures, and thus to study the effect of different parameters on PPG blocking efficiency. After each injection pressure, PPG compressibility was calculated to study the effect of various particle sizes, gel types, and brine concentrations on the PPG compressibility. Permeable gel packs were formed in fluid channels by gel particles and its compressibility depends on PPG particle size, gel strength, types, brine concentration, and load pressure. Gel pack is compressed and its compressibility is increased as injection pressure increases. A weak PPG with large particle size, low brine concentration, and low gel strength compressed more than a strong PPG with small particle size, high brine concentration, and high gel strength. The increase of the gel compressibility cause more reduction on the gel permeability on the fluid channels. A gel pack which has a desired compressibility can be designed by selecting proper gel strength and particle sizes at reservoir pressures.