The New Development of Soft Microgel Particle Flooding Technology –From Theoretical Research in Laboratory to Field Trial

Abstract

Although polymer flooding technology has been widely applied and achieved remarkable effect of increasing oil. Yet the "entry profile inversion" phenomenon occurs inevitably in its later stage, which seriously affects the development effect. In recent years, the soft microgel particle dispersion is a novel developed flooding system. Due to its excellent performance and advanced mechanism, it can slow down the process of profile inversion, and achieve the goal of deep fluid diversion and expanding swept volume. The soft microgel particle dispersion consists of microgel particles and its carrier fluid. After coming into porous media, it shows the properties of "plugging large pore and leave the small one open" and the motion feature of "trapping, deformation, migration". In this paper, reservoir adaptability evaluation, plugging and deformation characteristics of soft microgel particle dispersion in pore throat is explored by using the microfluidic technology and 3D Printing technology. On this basis, by adopting the NMR and CT tomography technology, the research on its oil displacement mechanism is further carried out. Furthermore, the typical field application case is analyzed. Results show that, soft microgel particles have good performance and transport ability in porous media. According to the reservoir adaptability evaluation, the size relationships between particles and core pore throat is obtained, to provide basis for field application scheme design. Through microfluidic experiments, the temporary plugging and deformation characteristics of particles in the pore throat are explored. Also, when injecting soft microgel particle into the core, the particle phase separation happens, which makes the particles enter and plug the large pore in the high permeability layer. Therefore, their carrier fluid displace oil in the small pore, which works in cooperation and causes no damage to the low permeability layer. Furthermore, by using NMR and CT techniques, its micro percolation law in porous media and remaining oil distribution during displacement process is analyzed. During the experiment, microgels presents the motion feature of "migration, trapping, and deformation" in the core pore, which can realize deep fluid diversion and expand swept volume. From 3D macro experiment, microgels can realize the goal of enhance oil recovery. Finally, the soft microgel particle dispersion flooding technology has been applied in different oilfields, such as Oman, Bohai and other oilfields, which all obtained great success. Through interdisciplinary innovative research methods, the oil displacement mechanism and field application of soft microgel particle dispersion is researched, which proves its progressiveness and superiority. The research results provide theoretical basis and technical support for the enhancing oil recovery significantly.