Abstract
SummaryPolymer flooding is one of the most promising chemical enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) techniques. It offers a high incremental-oil-recovery factor (IORF), low cost, and wide reservoir applicability. The first large commercial polymer-flooding application began in Daqing Oil Field and remains the largest polymer application in the world. However, encouraged by the success of previous field applications and new findings regarding the viscoelasticity of polymers in the reduction of residual oil saturation (ROS), high-concentration high-molecular-weight (MW) polymer-flooding (HCHMW) field tests have been conducted in many oil fields in China. Although some of these field tests in Daqing are well-documented, subsequent progress has seldom been reported. Moreover, recent references about the latest polymer-flooding applications in China reveal that HCHMW has only a limited application in Daqing. This is not in agreement with previous reports and expectations, especially given that viscoelasticity has been drawing increased attention. This paper explains why HCHMW is not currently widely used. New types of amphiphilic polymers are also field tested in China. Lessons learned from polymer-flooding practices in offshore reservoirs, heavy-oil reservoirs, and conglomerate reservoirs are given to help reduce risks and costs of polymer flooding in the low-oil-price era. EOR techniques in post-polymer-flooding reservoir field tests are also compared. In addition to providing useful information for engineers, this paper helps clarify some misconceptions—such as injecting the most viscous polymer possible—in polymer-flooding implementations, according to polymer-flooding practice in China. Annual oil production using polymer flooding as well as polymer utility factors (UFs) are given. Various technical parameters, such as polymer slug, viscosity, IORF, oil-increase factor (OIF), and water-cut decrease, are provided to better understand polymer-flooding evaluation as well economics.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
