Field Tests with a Multi Chamber Flotation Technology: Advanced Water Treatment in EOR Polymer Operation

Abstract

Cost-effective treatment of produced water is crucial for the implementation of EOR technologies. A multi-chamber flotation unit was tested under real-field conditions for a polymer flood of the Matzen field, Austria. The operating conditions, performance, and potential for cost-effective separation were successfully assessed with HPAM polymers for a concentration up to 800 ppm. In order to evaluate the performance of the flotation technology, a comprehensive test matrix for a widespread operating envelope was defined. Characteristics of the feed water were varied by selecting specific production wells from the Torton reservoir. Consequently, a wide range of retention times, oil-in-water contents, oil droplet size distributions, and EOR polymer concentrations were tested. The unit was operated with and without the application of a water clarifier. Performance was evaluated by measuring inlet and outlet water quality parameters via laboratory analyses and an in-line monitoring device. The impact of EOR polymer on the treatment efficiency clearly indicated a turning-point of treatment efficiency dependent on polymer concentration. Produced water conditions of polymer flooding operations are considered harsh due to the impact on oil droplet coalescing behavior and impacted viscosity. The influence of oil droplet size and shearing of polymer versus the impact of retention time on effectiveness was assessed. On-site core-flood tests were performed to evaluate the injection behavior of treated water with different HPAM polymer concentrations and in combination with and without a water clarifier.