Preparation and Characterization of Micron-Sized Elastic Microspheres as a Novel Profile Control and Flooding Agent

Abstract

A series of micron-sized elastic microspheres were optimally prepared through inverse suspension polymerization of acrylamide (AM) and N, N’-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) in oil phase when [Span80 & Tween80] and ammonium persulfate (APS) were used to be dispersion stabilizer and initiator, respectively. Their profile control and flooding performance in mid-high permeability sand pack models were characterized in laboratory. The results show that the conversion rate is high, and the coagulum is low when the mass ratio of Span80 to Tween80 is 3:1. The particle size of the elastic microspheres can be controlled by varying the amount of dispersion stabilizer. The micron-sized elastic microspheres can plug sand pack effectively and selectively. The ultimate plugging rate is more than 90% and the ability of profile improvement is up to 70%. The results indicate that the micron-sized elastic microspheres have better profile control and oil flooding performance in the heterogeneous mid-high permeability reservoirs.