Methodology for obtaining correlation dependences of the swelling time of preformed particle gel on the influencing parameters

Introduction. The article discusses the main parameters of preformed particle gel injected into the reservoir for conformance control. One of the most important characteristics for its effectiveness is the swelling time. A detailed description of the effect of parameters on the swelling time requires significant time, because of which the use of empirical correlation dependencies is considered relevant.

The aim of the work is to study the swelling process of preformed particle gel and obtain quantitative dependencies on the main influencing factors.

Materials and methods. A methodology for determining such dependencies is proposed, based on the least squares method and containing the completion of missing data using one-parameter correlation polynomial dependencies with a fixed value of other parameters. The main control parameters are distinguished — the salt concentration, its temperature and the weighted average particle size in the initial state. The transition to a dimensionless form is carried out to obtain universal correlations.

Results. A ternary diagram is constructed for the correlation dependence of dimensionless swelling time on the dimensionless control parameters. The obtained dependences approximate the experimental data with satisfactory accuracy.

Conclusion. The proposed method for obtaining correlation dependencies reduces the number of experimental studies by interpolating the available data maintaining the interpolation polynomial order. It was found that the initial weighted average particle size affects the swelling time to the greatest extent compared with other parameters, and with an increase in the initial weighted average particle size, the swelling time increases, since a large particle needs to absorb more water.

1. Salehi M.B., Moghadam A.S., Jarrahian K. Effect of network parameters of preformed particle gelon structural strength for water management. SPE Production and Operations. 2020, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 362–372. https://doi.org/10.2118/193631-PA

2. Wu D., Zhou K., An Z., Jian H. Experimental study on the matching relationship between ppg size and reservoir heterogeneity. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-193709-MS presented at the SPE International Heavy Oil Conference and Exhibition, Kuwait City, Kuwait, December 2018. https://doi.org/10.2118/193709-MS

3. Bai B., Wei M., Yuzhang L. Field and lab experience with a successful preformed particle gel conformance control technology. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-164511-MS presented at the SPE Production and Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, March 2013. https://doi.org/10.2118/164511-MS

4. Bai B., Huang F., Liu Y., Seright R.S., Yefei W. Case study on preformed particle gel for in-depth fluid diversion. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE 113997 presented at the SPE Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, April 2008. https://doi.org/10.2118/113997-MS

5. Pu J., Bai B., Alhuraishawy A., Schuman T., Chen Y., Xindi S. A novel re-crosslinkable preformed particle gel for conformance control in extreme heterogeneous reservoirs. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-191697-MS presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, USA, September 2018. https://doi.org/10.2118/191697-MS

6. Zhao S., Al B.A., Liu J., Bai B., Thomas S. Coreflooding evaluation of fiber-assisted recrosslinkable preformed particle gel using an open fracture model. SPE Journal. 2023, vol. 28, pp. 268–278. https://doi.org/10.2118/212282-PA

7. Bai B., Xindi S. Development of swelling-rate controllable particle gels to control the conformance of CO2 flooding. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-200339-MS presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Virtual, August 2020. https://doi.org/10.2118/200339-MS

8. Almakimi A.A., Liu J., Bai B., Ibnelwaleed A.H. Investigation of carbonate matrix damage and remediation methods for preformed particle gel conformance control treatments. SPE Journal. 2024, vol. 29, pp. 1623–1634. https://doi.org/10.2118/210311-PA

9. Cao D., Almohsin A., Han M., Bader A. Mixed preformed particle gel system for water shutoff in fractured carbonate reservoir. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper IPTC-23006-MS presented at the International Petroleum Technology Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, March 2023. https://doi.org/10.2523/IPTC-23006-MS

10. Bai B., Liu Y., Coste J. -P., Liangxiong L. Preformed particle gel for conformance control: transport mechanism through porous media // SPE Reservoir Evaluation and Engineering. 2007, vol. 10, pp. 176–184. https://doi.org/10.2118/89468PA

11. Imqam A., Bai B., Mojdeh D. Preformed particle gel propagation through super-k permeability sand and its resistance to water flow during conformance control. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-176429-MS presented at the SPE/IATMI Asia Pacifi c Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, October 2015. https://doi.org/10.2118/176429-MS

12. Fakher S., Bai B., Imqam A., Yanling W. Novel mathematical models to predict preformed particle gel placement and propagation through fractures. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-187152-MS presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, USA, October 2017. https://doi.org/10.2118/187152-MS

13. Imqam A., Wang Z., Bai B., Mojdeh D. Effect of heterogeneity on propagation, placement, and conformance control of preformed particle gel treatment in fractures. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-179705-MS presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, April 2016. https://doi.org/10.2118/179705-MS

14. Zhang H., Baojun B. Preformed-particle-gel transport through open fractures and its effect on water flow. SPE Journal. 2011, vol. 16, pp. 388–400. https://doi.org/10.2118/129908-PA

15. Alotibi A., Song T., Bai B., Schuman T.P. Transport and plugging performance evaluation of a novel re-crosslinkable microgel used for conformance control in mature oilfields with super-permeable channels. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-215168-MS presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, USA, October 2023. https://doi.org/10.2118/215168-MS

16. Elsharafi M.O., Baojun B. Effect of strong preformed particle gel on unswept oil zones/areas during conformance control treatments. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-164879-MS presented at the EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition incorporating SPE Europec, London, UK, June 2013. https://doi.org/10.2118/164879-MS

17. Hu Y., Bai Y., Sun J., Kaihe L. Experimental study of the swelling and rheological properties of a high-strength preformed particle gel lost circulation material. SPE Journal. 2024, vol. 29, pp. 3924–3941. https://doi.org/10.2118/221465-PA

18. Ahdaya M., Al B.A., Bai B., Thomas S. Low-temperature recrosslinkable preformed particle gel as a material for lost circulation control. SPE Journal. 2022, vol. 27, pp. 2541–2551. https://doi.org/10.2118/209783-PA

19. Sun L., Li D., Pu W., Li L., Bai B., Han Q., Zhang Y., Ximing T. Combining preformed particle gel and curable resin-coated particles to control water production from high-temperature and high-salinity fractured producers. SPE Journal. 2020, vol. 25, pp. 938–950. https://doi.org/10.2118/198887-PA

20. Long Y., Yu B., Changqian Z. Conformance improvement for ultra-high-temperature reservoir: a comparative study between hydrostable and conventional preformed particle gel. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE192738-MS presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE, November 2018. https://doi.org/10.2118/192738-MS

21. Goudarzi A., Alhuraishawy A., Taksaudom P., Sepehrnoori K., Bai B., Imqam A., Mojdeh D. Experimental and simulation study of water shutoff in fractured systems using microgels. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-180388- MS presented at the SPE Western Regional Meeting, Anchorage, Alaska, USA, May 2016. https://doi.org/10.2118/180388-MS

22. Bai B., Schuman T., Smith D., Tao S. Lessons learned from laboratory study and field application of re-crosslinkable preformed particle gels RPPG for conformance control in mature oilfields with conduits/fractures/fracture-like channels. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-218133-MS presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, April 2024. https://doi.org/10.2118/218133-MS

23. Alhuraishawy A.K., Sun X., Bai B., Wei M., Imqam A., Almansour A., King A. Improve plugging efficiency in fractured sandstone reservoirs by mixing different preformed particles gel size. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE188023- MS presented at the SPE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, April, 2017. https://doi.org/10.2118/188023-MS

24. Panthi K., Kishore K.M. Salinity-sensitive polymeric particles for EOR. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-179627-MS presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, April 2016. https://doi.org/10.2118/179627-MS

25. Bai B., Li L., Liu Y., Liu H., Wang Z., Chunmei Y. Preformed particle gel for conformance control: factors affecting its properties and applications. SPE Reservoir Evaluation and Engineering. 2007, vol. 10, pp. 415–422. https://doi.org/10.2118/89389-PA

26. Imqam A., Bai B., Al R.M., Wei M., Delshad M., Kamy S. Preformed particle gel extrusion through open conduits during conformance control treatments. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-169107-MS presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, April 2014. https://doi.org/10.2118/169107-MS

27. Zhou K., Hou J., Wu D., Qingjun D. Study on flow diversion caused by deformable preformed particle gel. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-192965-MS presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE, November 2018. https://doi.org/10.2118/192965-MS

28. Almakimi A.A., Liu J., Bai B., Ibnelwaleed A.A.H. Investigation of matrix damage and remediation methods of preformed particle gel conformance control treatments in carbonate reservoirs. Society of Petroleum Engineers conference paper SPE-210311-MS presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, USA, 2022. https://doi.org/10.2118/210311-MS

29. Imqam A., Bai B., Wei M., Elue H., Farag A.M. Use of hydrochloric acid to remove filter-cake damage from preformed particle gel during conformance-control treatments. SPE Journal. 2016, vol. 31, pp. 247–257. https://doi.org/10.2118/172352-PA

30. Wang Z., Bai B., Long Y., Lizhu W. An investigation of CO2-responsive preformed particle gel for conformance control of CO2 flooding in reservoirs with fractures or fracture-like channels. SPE Journal. 2019, vol. 24, pp. 2398–2408. https://doi.org/10.2118/197046-PA

31. Fialips C.I., Labeyrie B., Burg V., Maziere V., Munerel Y., Haurie H., Jolivet I., Lasnel R., Laurent J., Lambert L., Laurence J. Quantitative mineralogy of vaca muerta and alum shales from core chips and drill cuttings by calibrated SEM-EDS mineralgical mapping. SPE/AAPG/SEG Unconventional Resources Technology conference paper URTEC-2018-2902304 presented at the SPE/AAPG/SEG Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, USA, 2018. https://doi.org/10.15530/ URTEC-2018-2902304

32. Roslan A.A., Aziz N.A.A., Dzulkarnain I., Tewari R.D., Jaafar M.Z. Experimental investigation on the performance of polymer-coated clay/polyacrylamide hydrogel for water shutoff treatment. SPE Journal. 2023, 38, pp. 490–503. https://doi.org/10.2118/214662-PA

33. Fisher R.A. The design of experiments. 9th edition. Royal Oak: Hafner Press, 1971. 256 p.

34. Vaz A., Bedrikovetsky P., Fernandes P.D., Badalyan A., Carageorgos T. Determining model parameters for non-linear deep-bed filtration using laboratory pressure measurements. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. 2017, vol. 151, pp. 421–433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2017.01.00