Dynamic Simulation of Nano-Gel Microspheres for Plugging Preferential Flow Channels and Enhancing Oil Recovery in Waterflooded Reservoirs
Long Ren, Cong Zhao, Jian Sun, Cheng Jing, Haitao Bai, Qingqing Li, Xin Ma
TL;DR
This paper uses simulations to show how nano-gel microspheres can plug flow channels in oil reservoirs, improving oil recovery and providing long-term benefits.
Contribution
A dynamic model integrating PFC evolution and NGM mechanisms is proposed, validated with field data and economic analysis.
Findings
Neglecting PFCs overestimates oil recovery by 8.7%.
NGMs reduce permeability in high-conductivity zones by 33%.
Field application shows 0.84% incremental recovery with a 10:1 ROI over 10 years.
Abstract
This study addresses the unclear mechanisms by which preferential flow channels (PFCs), formed during long-term waterflooding, affect nano-gel microsphere (NGM) flooding efficiency, utilizing CMG reservoir numerical simulation software. A dynamic evolution model of PFCs was established by coupling CROCKTAB (stress–porosity hysteresis) and CROCKTABW (water saturation-driven permeability evolution), and the deep flooding mechanism of NGMs (based on their gel properties such as swelling, elastic deformation, and adsorption, and characterized by a “plugging-migration-replugging” process) was integrated. The results demonstrate that neglecting PFCs overestimates recovery by 8.7%, while NGMs reduce permeability by 33% (from 12 to 8 mD) in high-conductivity zones via “bridge-plug-filter cake” structures, diverting flow to low-permeability layers (+33% permeability, from 4.5 to 6 mD). Field…
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Taxonomy
TopicsEnhanced Oil Recovery Techniques · Reservoir Engineering and Simulation Methods · Hydraulic Fracturing and Reservoir Analysis