Investigating the Performance of Co [AM-AMPS-MALEIC-AAC]/ PEI-MBA Nanocomposite Hydrogel in Sand Control from Oil Reservoirs

Sand production is one of the major challenges in oil and gas production from sandstone reservoirs. Production losses, formation damage, corrosion, and equipment failure are all consequences of sand production. Various mechanical and chemical methods are used to control sand production. One of the most efficient chemical methods is the injection of hydrogels, but its application has been constrained by the hydrogels' weak stability in the harsh conditions of the reservoir. A Co [AMAMPS-MALEIC-AAC]/PEI-MBA nanocomposite hydrogel with superior viscoelastic properties and double crosslinking was developed and synthesized to overcome these restrictions. Swelling, rheology, and morphology tests were utilized to predict the produced nanocomposite's effectiveness and performance in the harsh Iranian reservoirs. According to the obtained results, at ambient temperature (25°C, during injection) and reservoir temperature (90°C, placed in a porous medium), in distilled water, the maximum swelling ratio was 8.5 and 94, and in formation water, the maximum swelling ratio was 5.4 and 10.8, respectively. The X-ray diffraction test findings show that the nanoparticles are uniformly distributed throughout the structure. Also, according to the results of the thermal strength test, the sample’s thermal stability up to 90°C was confirmed with less than 0.6 wt% degradation. The results of the strain sweep, frequency sweep and stress-strain tests demonstrate the existence of a robust, three-dimensional, and viscoelastic structure up to a strain of 100% and a frequency of 100 Hz. In the strain sweep test with a constant frequency of 1 Hz, the maximum storage modulus was reported as 27,000 Pa, and in the frequency sweep test with a constant strain of 1%, 18,000 Pascals were reported. The stress-strain test revealed that the ultimate tensile strength of the synthesized material was 4630 pascals. These characteristics make the aforementioned nanocomposite hydrogel ideal for usage in porous media.